Belica

Leucaspius delineatusIt is common in the Black and Caspian catchments, as well as in the rivers of south Baltics, it is present in the Northern Dvina. Belica are very rare in the Pskov-PeipsiLake. Maximally about 9 cm long, they are one of the smallest fish in the local fauna. Belica inhabit ponds and lakes, and in sluggish river reaches. They have an upturned mouth and forages predominantly on zooplankton and flying insects. They sexually mature reaching 3.8-4 cm in length in their 2nd year. Fish over 2.5 cm long, when studied closely (with a lens), display gender features. Females have an agglomerate of small bumps and two larger spherical ones before the anal fin and round the urogenital foramen. Spawning males display pearly rash on their heads. The intermittent spawning starts in the temperature of 15°С and lasts for about two months. Belica glue their eggs to the undersides of the floating leaves of pondweed, arrowhead, water-lilies and other objects like planks or sticks. Batches are usually thread-like, two or three-egg wide. Spawn development is rather slow, but the hatching fry are capable of swimming and hunting. The belica is a school fish inhabiting surface layers, and descending deeper towards the bottom in cooler temperatures. It may occur in large numbers serving as prey for pike and perch fry.

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