Wildlife of Britain

The Vendace ( Coregonus vandesius) is  one of the rarest freshwater fish in Britain and one of the most geographically restricted.  Small, silvery and delicate in appearance, it belongs to the salmon family and is closely related to whitefish found in colder regions of northern Europe. In the UK, however, it survives in only a handful of lakes, making it a species of exceptional conservation importance. A Fish of Clear, Cold Water Vendace are slender fish with bright silver flanks and a bluish-green back.  Their lower jaw projects slightly beyond the upper, giving them a distinctive profile. Most individuals grow to around 20–25 centimetres in length, although many are smaller. They are adapted to deep, cool, well-oxygenated lakes. Unlike many other freshwater fish, vendace spend much of their lives in open water rather than close to any shoreline. They form shoals and feed mainly on tiny drifting animals known as zooplankton. Because they rely on clean, oxygen-rich water...