Volkhov Whitefish

(Coregonus lavaretus baeri), a fish of the family Salmonidae; a variety of common whitefish. The cylindrical body reaches a length of 55 cm and a weight of 3.2 kg. The Volkhov whitefish inhabits Lakes Ladoga and Il’men’. It spawns in October in Volkhov Bay of Lake Ladoga and the Svir’, Msta, and Lovat’ rivers. The female deposits 25,000 to 53,000 benthic eggs. The Volkhov whitefish feeds on invertebrates, including crustaceans, mosquito larvae, and mollusks. It is a valuable fish. Because of the regulation of the flow of the Volkhov River, the stocks are maintained by artificial breeding at the Volkhov Fish Farm.