Vendace is a noun that refers to a species of freshwater fish belonging to the salmon family, Salmonidae, and the genus Coregonus. Scientifically known as Coregonus albula, it is native to several lakes in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia, and Russia. Vendace are medium-sized fish, typically measuring around 15 to 30 centimeters in length and weighing about 100 to 200 grams. They have a slender, elongated body shape with a silvery-white coloration, often with shades of blue or green on their backs, and a slightly forked tail.
These fish inhabit deep, cold, and clear lakes, specifically preferring areas with a high oxygen content. Vendace are known for their highly delicate nature and vulnerability to environmental changes such as water pollution or increased water temperatures. As such, they are often considered as an indicator species for monitoring the health and quality of aquatic ecosystems.
Vendace are primarily planktivorous, meaning they mainly feed on microscopic plankton, insects, and small crustaceans which they filter from the water using specialized gill rakers. They are known for their distinctive feeding behavior, which involves swimming with their mouths open to capture their prey. Vendace typically spawn in winter, where they lay their adhesive eggs over cobble or gravel substrates in the lakes.
Although Vendace were historically abundant in many European lakes, their numbers have significantly declined over the years due to various factors, including habitat degradation, overfishing, invasive species, and climate change. Hence, they are often recognized as a species of conservation concern, and efforts are being made to preserve their populations and habitats.
