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A small, endangered species listed in the Red Book, it is often found in home aquariums. In the wild, the dogfish, European scaly-sided fish, and umbra fish populations are declining significantly. Catching one in aquatic environments is difficult. This fish is very shy and never forms schools.
You won't be able to catch this unique fish on trophy tours of the Putorana Plateau. It simply isn't there. Its small size can hardly be called a trophy. And its state-protected status, like that of the noble taimen, plays into its favor.
What does the individual look like?
This fish can coexist well with river dwellers. It can be seen alongside roach, crucian carp, and loach, and although it's smaller, the fish don't attack the eudoschka. Perhaps its neighbors respect fishing laws or sympathize with the fish. It doesn't get very large and has a relatively short lifespan. Externally, the eudoschka looks like this:
· In appearance, the Eudoschka resembles the popular predator, the pike. The shape and structure of the Umber are remarkably reminiscent of this bloodthirsty creature.
· The body is elongated, flattened on the sides.
The head is short and triangular, with large, iridescent eyes. The mouth is crammed with small, sharp teeth.
The dorsal fin is large and, like that of the alligator gar, is positioned closer to the tail. The pectoral fins are large and active, all brown in color.
· The body of the umber is covered with large scales.
The back is dark brown, while the belly is lighter. A subtle copper stripe runs along the sides. Like pike, these fish have numerous spots on their bodies.
The average fish length does not exceed 10 cm, but there are cases of specimens almost twice as long as 17 cm. The male appears small next to the female. Males do not grow longer than 8-12 cm, while females can reach 14 cm.
The fish was once called the dogfish. This is because when it moves underwater, the movement of its fins resembles the paddling of a swimming dog. Each fin moves in turn, as if a dog were paddling its paws in the water.
Although the fish is small, it can safely be considered a predator. The Eudoschka feeds on small crustaceans, insects, worms, and beetles. The Umbra is also fond of the eggs of its fellow fish.
Where is umber found?
The fish prefers warm waters and inhabits bodies of water flowing into the Black Sea. Most of these are in neighboring Ukraine. It is found in the Dnieper, Dniester, and Tisza rivers. Its habitat also extends to Europe.
In Austria, Hungary, and the former Yugoslavia, this species is considered an introduced species, but it has survived well in these countries. Today, artificial reservoirs are being created for the umber, intended for the conservation and breeding of this endangered species.
Conclusion
As we've seen, this small predator is considered interesting and unique for good reason. It's rare to encounter specimens that resemble pikes in appearance. Although the class of pike fish is unrelated, the Umber belongs to a species specifically created for the European eudoshka (Umberidae). This is another unique feature, making this fish listed in the IUCN Red List.
