About Osmerus eperlanus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The European smelt, also called simply smelt, has the scientific name Osmerus eperlanus, and is a fish species belonging to the family Osmeridae. As a marine fish, it inhabits European coastal waters ranging from the Baltic Sea to the Bay of Biscay. A distinct freshwater form, called Binnenstint ('Inland smelt') in Germany, is commonly found in larger lakes across Northern Europe. To spawn over sandy areas, smelt gather and swim in the underflows of strong currents. Spawning occurs from late February through March, when water temperatures are above 9 °C (48 °F). A single female smelt can produce up to 40,000 eggs. Mass mortality of smelt commonly occurs after spawning is complete. Smelt feed primarily on small planktonic crabs, benthic animals, and even their own young.
