European Smelt Osmerus eperlanus

The European Smelt is one of several smelt around the world that inhabit salt, brackish and fresh water. In much of Europe, including the UK, it is predominantly a marine fish, hugging the coast in shoals, but can go some way up river. In parts of northern Europe, particularly Germany, it is mainly a freshwater fish of rivers and lakes. Like other smelt, it is a small, silvery fish but can look olive or pinkish, as above, swimming with (freshwater) Gudgeon. It typically grows to less than 20cm long, but it can grow to 30cm.