Caspian roach

The Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus) is a species of brackish water ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, Eurasian minnows and related fishes. This fish is found in the Caspian Sea, commonly known as vobla. The Caspian roach can be distinguished from other roaches by its laterally compressed body, silvery grey iris, rounded snout and grey pectoral pelvic and anal fins with dark margins. The Caspian roach is semi-anadromous and inhabits mostly shallow coastal waters. It enters Volga, Ural, Emba, Terek and Kura drainages for spawning. Vobla is popular as a dried-fish snack. Newer research however suggests that R. caspicus is part of a more widely distributed species of roach, whose range extends to Siberia. The proper name of that species is Rutilus lacustris. In particular another popular as a dried-fish snack, taran (Rutilus heckelii) is thought to differ from vobla only as a result of different habitat.