Fin's Fish Guide
The Houting (Coregonus oxyrinchus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 50 cm.
Rivers and coastal waters of the North Sea and the Baltic, including the Rhine, Meuse, Scheldt and Ems basins.
Description
The houting or North Sea houting is a silvery salmonid of the family Salmonidae reaching about 50 cm. It has an elongated, laterally compressed body with an adipose fin, a small inferior mouth and a striking, blue-black pointed snout. As a migratory fish it grows up in estuaries, Lake IJssel and the Wadden Sea, and around November it runs up the rivers to spawn over gravel or sand. It disappeared from the Rhine early in the twentieth century, but since a reintroduction with fish from the Danish river Vida it breeds again and is seen more and more often in the Netherlands; it is listed as 'sensitive' on the Dutch Red List.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Houting?
The Houting has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Silvery salmonid with an adipose fin, small inferior mouth and a blue-black, pointed snout; nase, dace and vimba also have a thick snout but no adipose fin.
Where does the Houting live?
The Houting lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water. Rivers and coastal waters of the North Sea and the Baltic, including the Rhine, Meuse, Scheldt and Ems basins.
How big does the Houting get?
The Houting grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.
Is the Houting dangerous to humans?
No, the Houting is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Houting edible?
The Houting is rarely eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the Houting and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Coregonus
More from the family Salmonidae
Want the complete picture on the Houting?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Houting is one of 12,519 species in the app.
Or scan with your phone