Most Unwanted: Dace
Leuciscus leuciscus
Habitat: Freshwater
Threat: Competes with native fish species
Status: Established
What is it?
Dace is a relatively small cyprinid fish, generally not living for more than ten years. The dace has a dorso-ventrally
flattened symmetry, which makes it suited to fast flowing water. The flanks are silver, darkening to a bluish green along
the back.
Impact
The most pressing of the threats posed by dace is the impact on native salmonids.
Dace, trout and salmon have similar habitat preferences and all spawn over gravels
in fast flowing water. Efforts to create and improve breeding grounds for salmonids in
the Munster Blackwater have been hampered by dace moving onto the newly introduced gravels at spawning times
Habitat
Dace primarily inhabits fast flowing water systems, although it is also found in lowland
rivers and lakes.
Where is it from?
Introduced from Britain.
How did it get here?
In 1889 British anglers river fishing on the Munster Blackwater accidentally released
a number of dace and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), which were being held as live bait.
This was the first introduction of both species to Ireland.
Where is it now?
Southern Ireland, with populations in Munster and Leinster. Dace is present in the Shannon system.
What you can do to prevent its arrival
Do not introduce non native fish species.
Do not move species of fish from one waterbody to another.
Do not use live bait in river systems.
Report all sightings.
Additional information
