Vendace

Identification

The vendace (Coregonus albula) is a small, slender salmonid of 15-25 cm. The body is strongly laterally compressed and silvery, with a blue-green back. The lower jaw protrudes slightly beyond the upper jaw. The adipose fin is small but clearly present. The scales are large and fall off easily when handled.

Ecology

The vendace is a cold-water fish that inhabits deep, oxygen-rich lakes. The species is pelagic (lives in open water) and feeds on zooplankton. Spawning occurs in late autumn or early winter on shallow, gravelly beds. The vendace is a schooling fish found in large groups.

In the Netherlands

With 34 observations in our database, the vendace is rare in the Netherlands. The warm, shallow Dutch climate and eutrophic waters are not ideal for this cold-water species. Observations may involve stocked specimens or strays. In Scandinavia and the Baltic states, the vendace is an important food and sport fish.