Occurs mainly in large lakes and rivers, though occasionally enters brackish water in the Baltic and Black Seas. Found in deep waters of dams constructed on the lower reaches of rivers. Known to feed at night on ducks, voles, crayfish and small fishes. Spawns in the salt water of the Aral Sea (at Kulandy). Its distribution is wide: Russia, Central & Eastern Europe. Germany, upper Rhine and eastwards to the Black and Caspian Seas.
