Beaked Dace

Diagnosed from congeners in western Europe by the following characters: lacking keel from nape to dorsal origin; snout projecting, pointed; upper jaw projecting; dorsal profile of head and body continuously rounded, usually lacking marked hump; lips thick and fleshy; eye diameter 19-21% HL; snout length 32-34% HL; and lateral line with 47-49 + 3 scales (Ref. 59043).

Inhabits streams and rivers, sectors with current, clear and cool, in deep pools. Adults undergo small migrations. Spawns at night in stretches with swift current and pebble bottom, in deeper pools (Ref. 59043).

Leuciscus burdigalensis, the beaked dace, is a cyprinid freshwater fish from central and southern France. It is recorded both from Atlantic and Mediterranean drainages – from Loire to Garonne, and from Tech to Aude, respectively. Dace recorded in the Herault may also be L. burdigalensis.