The dace is smaller and more slender than its relatives, the ide and the chub. This silver flanked and green backed fish is about 20 centimetres long. It inhabits clean inland waters in the eastern and northern parts of Finland, except for the northern parts of Lapland. It also resides along the coastline. Dace spawn in early spring, once the ice has receded, on gravel and sand bottoms in flowing waters. Lively dace eats Trichoptera and other insect larvae and some aquatic plants. Due to its small size, it is not valued as a food fish although some claim it is quite savoury.
