Europe: Lakes Como, Garda, Orta, Maggiore, Lugano and Iseo (northern Italy, Switzerland). Introduced in Lakes Bolsena, Bracciano and Vico (central Italy). Max length : 43 cm; max. published weight: 760 g This species is distinguished from its congeners entering the freshwater of the Mediterranean basin by the following characters: an almost straight dorsal profile; thin gill rakers 38-72 (different populations average between 45 and 64); no teeth on palatine. A lacustrine, pelagic species. Males reproduce for the first time at 2-3 years, females at 3-4; most reproduce only once or twice. Spawn at temperatures above 15-16°C in June to August, along the shores near the surface at night with bright moonlights. Adults feed mainly on cladocerans and copepods, also on small fish.
