Vimba

(Vimba vimba), a fish of the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. Vimbas are closely related to European breams. They inhabit the basins of the North, Black, Baltic, and Caspian seas and the Sea of Azov. The fish are migratory or semimigratory.

There are three subspecies in the USSR. The Baltic vimba reaches 50 cm in length and 3 kg in weight and is found in the Baltic Sea basin. The Black Sea vimba (Vimba vimba vimba, n. carinata), which reaches a length of 40 cm and a weight of 0.8 kg, inhabits the basins of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The Caspian vimba (Vimba vimba persa) is found in the Caspian Sea basin; it measures up to 27 cm long and weighs as much as 360 g.

Vimbas winter in rivers. They spawn from April to June. The fish reach sexual maturity between the ages of three to five years. Before spawning the males become brighter in coloration, and a pearly rash appears on the head and body. The fecundity of vimbas reaches 115,000 eggs. Spawning is intermittent.

Vimbas feed on benthic invertebrates. The fish are eaten in salted, dried, or smoked form. Spawning grounds have been created in order to maintain reserves of migratory vimbas. The roe are incubated at fish hatcheries.