Peled (fish) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peled
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The peled (Coregonus peled) is a type of fish that lives in freshwater, like rivers and lakes. It's also known as the northern whitefish. This fish belongs to the Salmonidae family, which includes salmon and trout. You can find peled in the northern parts of Europe and Asia. It's a close relative of other fish called ciscoes.

What Does a Peled Look Like?

When peled are young, they look a lot like other fish called vendace or whitefish. But as they get bigger, their bodies become deeper and less pointy. They start to look more blocky.

One way to tell a peled apart is by its mouth. Both its upper and lower jaws are about the same length. This is different from a whitefish, which has a snout that sticks out more than its lower jaw. It's also different from a vendace, which has a lower jaw that sticks out.

Another special feature of the peled is its gills. It has 50 to 65 gill rakers on its first gill arch. This is a higher number than what you'd find on vendace or other whitefish.

A peled can grow to be about 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) long. The heaviest ones can weigh up to 1.5 kilograms (about 3.3 pounds). This fish has a dark back, shiny silver sides, and a white belly.

Where Do Peled Live?

The peled fish originally comes from the lakes and rivers of northern Russia. You can find them from the Mezen River system, which flows into the White Sea, all the way east to the Kolyma River basin in eastern Siberia.

These fish live in rivers, large water storage areas called reservoirs, and lakes. Scientists think there might even be more than one type of peled. This is because peled from different areas grow at different speeds. They also lay their eggs at different times of the year.

Peled Life Cycle and Diet

Peled mostly eat tiny water creatures called zooplankton. But they also enjoy other foods. They will eat small animals that live on the bottom of the water. Sometimes they eat very young fish, algae (a type of water plant), and insects that float on the water.

Most peled fish become old enough to have babies when they are about three years old. They can live for about twelve years in total.

Peled lay their eggs in the autumn and winter. In lakes, they choose hard sand areas along the edges. In rivers, they prefer sand, gravel, and small stones. In very cold northern rivers, they might even lay their eggs under the ice. They do this in water that is up to 3 meters (about 10 feet) deep.

How People Use Peled

Even though you can eat peled, it's not usually a top choice for cooking. This is because its meat can be a bit soft and doesn't have a strong taste. Sometimes, people eat it raw.

However, peled is very popular when it's prepared in other ways. Many people enjoy peled that has been smoked or salted.