Common nase

Chondrostoma nasus

The common nase is a European potamodromous cyprinid fish. It is often simply called the nase, but that can refer to any species of its genus "Chondrostoma". Another name is sneep.
Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) during reproduction This was one of those moments you can't plan for… I got up early this morning and walked the few minutes it takes to get to the banks of the river Isar that flows through my hometown Munich. Actually, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of a White or a Grey wagtail (indeed, I saw both!). But then I noticed that in the flat waters, bordered by rocks and pebbles, I repeatedly heard splashing noises, like you can can hear when a large bird is bathing. Only, I saw no birds at that spot. So I went a little close, and lo and behold, there were about 50 dark forms in the water - a group of fish, each trying to defend their place. And occasionally a few of them would vie for a better place, splashing around. As I read up, this is usually a sign that a female is in the process of spawning eggs, so that a number of males immediately tries to be the first to place their sperm. Watching this spectacle was completely unexpected for me, because the little sand- and rock-banks around those riverbanks are usually very heavily “populated” by thousands of people who go there to barbecue, drink, listen to music, drink, relax and drink. And since last night was Saturday with record breaking temperatures for early April, half of the city had apparently been there to party last night, judging from the amount of trash and empty bottles I saw this morning. Anyway, I felt more like being in the Canadian wilderness watching this outburst of Nature. One of the fish had washed up on the riverbank, allowing a clear identification. Head: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/159046/washed_up_nase_chondrostoma_nasus_-_head.html Tail: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/159047/chondrostoma_nasus.html Notice the already missing eye… When I switched to the other side of the river channel, I watched the aptly named Carrion crow having an easy breakfast: https://www.jungledragon.com/image/159048/a_crow_eating_a_washed_up_nase_chondrostoma_nasus.html Chondrostoma nasus,Common nase,Deutschland,Fisch,Geotagged,Germany,München,Spring

Appearance

The nase has a spindle shaped physique, with a blue-grey metallic-coloured scales and orange tail. It has relatively sharp lower lip. Generally, the fish range from 25 to 40 centimetres in length, and weigh about 1000 grams. However, specimens have been recorded up to 60 long and 3 kg in weight The maximum recorded life span of the fish is 15 years.The fish was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.
Washed up Nase (Chondrostoma nasus) - head For the whole story, see https://www.jungledragon.com/image/159045/chondrostoma_nasus.html Chondrostoma nasus,Common nase,Deutschland,Fisch,Geotagged,Germany,München,Spring

Distribution

The nase is found naturally in drainages of the Black Sea, the southern Baltic Sea and the southern North Sea. Moreover, it has been introduced to the Rhône, Loire, Hérault, and Soca/Isonzo drainages. It is a migratory fish.
Washed up Nase (Chondrostoma nasus) - tail For the whole story, see https://www.jungledragon.com/image/159045/chondrostoma_nasus.html Chondrostoma nasus,Common nase,Deutschland,Fisch,Geotagged,Germany,München,Spring

Status

The nase is protected by the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.

Behavior

This gregarious species is found in deep water with a fast current, often in the back waters of bridges or in rocky outcrops. It dwells near the bottom where it feeds on algae, aquatic plants and invertebrates. Nase fish on the whole stay in shoals.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassActinopterygii
OrderCypriniformes
FamilyCyprinidae
GenusChondrostoma
SpeciesC. nasus
Photographed in
Germany