Zarte

Diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by the following characters: anal fin with 16-21½ branched rays; back keeled behind dorsal base; in spawning season, males blackish brown with orange cheek and sometimes belly (Ref. 59043). Caudal fin with 19 soft rays. Scalar formula: 49-64, 6-10 (Ref. 40476).

Produces 15,000-20,000 eggs at the age of 6-7 years (Ref. 12259). Spawns for several years. Semi-anadromous populations undertake long distance spawning migrations while lacustrine populations migrate to fast-flowing tributaries. In Dniepr and Kuban, migration starts in September, decreases in winter and resumes in March-May (Ref. 59043).

Anadromous. Fish that ascend rivers to spawn, as salmon and hilsa do. Sub-division of diadromous. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 16 - 22

Feeds on invertebrates and plants (Ref. 26100).

Inhabits brackish estuaries, large to medium rivers and some large subalpine lakes. Sedentary populations inhabit even in small rivers or barbel zone. Feeds mainly on small molluscs and insect larvae. Breeds in riffles in shallow, fast-flowing streams and rivers on gravel. Semi-anadromous populations forage in freshened parts of sea and migrate for long distances to spawn. Lacustrine populations move to fast-flowing tributaries. Spent adults return to foraging habitats (Ref. 59043). Threatened from its range due to water obstruction (Ref. 26100).

fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes