смуѓ

Body elongate, the snout pointed, head length greater than depth of body or equal to it. Upper jaw extends past eye level, small teeth in jaws and several large fangs in front also (never more of 18 branched rays). Two dorsal fins, the first spiny and separated by a narrow interspace from the second. Anal fin with 2-3 spines and 11-13 soft rays. Pelvic fins widely spaced, the distance between them almost as great as the base of one fin. Lateral line with 84-95 scales. Colour greenish-grey or brown on the back and sides becoming lighter on the lower sides and white on the belly. Young fish have 8-10 indistinct dusky bars on the sides; these are faint in the adult. Dorsal and tail fins dark spotted.

Native to eastern Europe (from Neederland to Caspian Sea), but has been introduced to the Rhine catchment and to England. It is now widespread in France and western Europe, and is rapidly extending its range in eastern and central England.

Attains a maximum length of 130 cm and weight of 12-18 kg; usually 30-70 cm.

Inhabits rivers.Feeds regularly on fishes also insects and crustaceans.This species has depleted stocks of native fish in some areas where it has been introduced for angling. Spawn between Abril to June over sandy or stony bottoms, or among the roots of larger aquatic plants, being earlier in lower latitudes.

Valuable sporting fish, and in inland Europe an important food-fish. Here considerable effort is made to increase the stock in fish farms. The total catch reported for this species to FAO for 1999 was 17 892 t. The countries with the largest catches were Russian Federation (3 644 t) and Kazakhstan (3 250 t). Utilized fresh or frozen and eaten steamed, broiled and microwaved.