(Rutilus rutilus heckeli), a semimigratory schooling fish of the family Cyprinidae; a subspecies of the roach. The taran inhabits the freshened parts of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Its body length may reach 50 cm but is usually much smaller. The fish enters the lower reaches of rivers to spawn and overwinter. The spawning season varies from late March to May. The fish reaches maturity in the fourth year of life. The sticky eggs are deposited on plants; fecundity varies from 6,000 to 200,000 eggs. After spawning, the taran descends downstream to the sea, where it feeds on mollusks and crustaceans. The taran is a valuable commercial fish. However, taran stocks are limited and therefore require protection.