Features

The danube salmon resembles a salmon or trout. Its back is dark brown or gray with small dark spots that do not extend to the fins. The danube salmon can reach a size of 60 to 150 cm, a weight of up to 30 kg and an age of over 20 years.

Habitat and way of life

The danube salmon prefers larger, fast-flowing waters and likes to stay in pools or under overhangs. It occupies territories which it defends against competitors and in which it can be found regularly, as it is a solitary fish. The danube salmon feeds on fish, other vertebrates and invertebrates. In Munich, the danube salmon is found in the Isar. 

Reproduction

The danube salmon mating season is from March to May. The pairs migrate upstream and the females create shallow spawning pits on gravel banks, which they carefully cover with gravel after spawning and fertilization by the males. The spawning sites, which are sensitive to disturbance, can be located in the urban area near the Isar bridges. 

Protection and endangerment

Under European law, the danube salmon is a strictly protected species. It is one of the most endangered fish species in Europe because there are fewer and fewer suitable spawning waters for it. Weirs and hydropower plants prevent spawning migrations and promote the silting up of the gravelly spawning grounds. Too little residual water and excessively heated or polluted waters also contribute to the endangerment of this species. Stocks are often only maintained by stocking young fish. The danube salmon is a popular angling fish.