Fish of Belgium: The Complete List

Belgium’s waters—from the North Sea coast to the Meuse, Scheldt and a network of canals, ponds and lakes—support a surprising mix of marine and freshwater species. Whether you’re an angler, cook or nature lover, knowing what swims here makes outings and meals more interesting.

There are 44 Fish of Belgium, ranging from Atlantic cod to Zander; for each species the list shows Scientific name, Max length (cm), and Habitat & Belgium distribution—you’ll find below.

Where in Belgium are these fish most likely to be found?

Distribution depends on species: coastal and estuarine waters host the marine visitors, while rivers (Meuse, Scheldt), canals and ponds support most freshwater species. The list’s habitat notes point to where each fish is commonly recorded, which helps narrow likely locations by season and salinity.

How can I use the list to identify fish I catch or see?

Use the Scientific name to confirm identity, check Max length (cm) to rule out unlikely candidates, and consult the Habitat & Belgium distribution to match environment and region. Combining those three columns with a photo or field guide usually gives a reliable ID.

Fish of Belgium

Images and Descriptions

European eel

Migratory, native eel found in rivers, canals and coastal waters. Critically endangered and much reduced from historical levels. Still encountered by anglers and fishers; notable for long seaward migration to the Sargasso Sea to spawn.

Atlantic salmon

Iconic migratory salmon returning from the North Sea to spawn in rivers. Populations declined but restoration efforts are underway. Seen during upriver runs; prized by anglers and a key conservation focus in Belgium.

Brown trout

Native trout with resident and migratory (sea trout) forms. Common in clean upland streams and many lakes, especially in the Ardennes. Popular with anglers and an indicator of good water quality.

European perch

Widespread native predator in rivers, lakes and canals. Very common and popular with anglers for sport fishing. Recognisable by vertical bars and red fins; tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions.

Northern pike

Large native ambush predator common in vegetated lakes and slow rivers. Sought by anglers for its fighting ability and influential in shaping prey fish communities due to predation on smaller species.

Zander

Introduced but now established in many Belgian waters. Valued sport fish found in deeper lakes, reservoirs and large rivers. Ambush predator that can influence native fish populations where abundant.

Common carp

Domesticated and feral carp widespread in still waters and ponds. Frequently stocked for fisheries and angling; tolerant of warm, turbid water and often abundant where present.

Roach

Small schooling native cyprinid common in rivers, lakes and canals. Very tolerant of eutrophic conditions and often abundant, forming a key part of coarse fisheries and predator diets.

Rudd

Native shoaling fish preferring vegetated shallows in lakes and slow rivers. Common and often confused with roach; noted for its red fins and surface-feeding habits.

Common bream

Native slow-water species forming large shoals in rivers and lakes. Common in lowland waters and important for coarse angling; tolerates turbid and low-flow environments.

Tench

Secretive native bottom-dweller favoring vegetated lakes and slow rivers. Prized by anglers for its strength; tolerates low oxygen and often hides among dense aquatic plants.

Bleak

Small, abundant schooling native fish of nutrient-rich waters. Important prey species for larger predators and commonly seen near surface feeding on insects.

European smelt

Small migratory fish that enters estuaries to spawn. Regular in the Scheldt estuary and nearby coastal waters; valued as bait and an indicator of brackish spawning habitat.

Atlantic herring

Pelagic schooling fish that forms large shoals offshore. Historically important for fisheries; seasonally common off the Belgian coast and key prey for many marine predators.

Sprat

Small schooling pelagic fish abundant seasonally in coastal North Sea waters. Important forage fish for larger species and seabirds; commonly caught by commercial fisheries.

Atlantic mackerel

Migratory pelagic species arriving in summer months to feed and spawn. Forms dense shoals, popular with recreational anglers and visually obvious when surface-feeding nearshore.

European seabass

Native migratory species frequenting estuaries and shallow coastal waters. Valued by recreational and commercial fishers; often encountered in tidal estuaries and nearshore waters.

Atlantic cod

Historically important commercial fish that now occurs less frequently. Occasional individuals appear in Belgian North Sea waters; notable for dramatic historical population declines.

Haddock

Demersal gadoid present on the North Sea shelf. Less common inshore but occurs offshore; recognised by its dark lateral blotch and targeted in deeper trawl fisheries.

Whiting

Small gadoid common in North Sea coastal shelves. Important in commercial and recreational catches and a frequent bycatch of trawlers working Belgian waters.

European plaice

Flatfish preferring sandy seabeds, common off the Flemish coast. Important commercial species and easy to spot by orange spots on the upper side.

European flounder

Brackish-tolerant flatfish found in estuaries, sheltered bays and lower river reaches. Common and adaptable, often moving between marine and brackish habitats.

Common dab

Flatfish common on the seabed in North Sea waters. Frequently caught by trawlers and anglers and abundant on soft bottoms nearshore.

Turbot

Large, prized flatfish occurring on sandy and mixed grounds. Less common than plaice but present off the Belgian coast and highly valued as a food fish.

Brill

Slimmer relative of turbot found on mixed seabeds and sandy patches. Occurs offshore and near coasts, occasionally landed and respected for its table quality.

Small-spotted catshark

Small, bottom-dwelling shark common on the North Sea seabed. Harmless to people and often caught as bycatch; notable for its spotted pattern and nocturnal habits.

Spurdog

Small shark species once common but now much reduced in many areas. Present in the North Sea and of conservation concern due to slow growth and past overfishing.

Thornback ray

Common ray on sandy and gravel bottoms near coasts and estuaries. Frequently encountered by anglers and trawlers; notable for its diamond shape and thorny back in adults.

Smooth-hound

Inshore shark found near coasts and estuaries, often in shallow sandy areas. Generally harmless and occasionally landed; presence indicates healthy benthic prey populations.

European hake

Demersal predator of deeper coastal waters and the continental shelf. Present in southern North Sea areas and targeted by fisheries for its firm white flesh.

Pollack

Coastal gadoid frequenting reefs, wrecks and rocky substrate. Valued by anglers and often found near structural habitats off the Belgian coast.

Sand goby

Small goby common in shallow sandy and muddy habitats. Abundant in estuaries and sheltered bays and an important prey item for larger fishes and wading birds.

Common goby

Tiny brackish-water goby found in creeks, estuaries and salt marsh channels. Extremely common and often overlooked due to small size but abundant where suitable habitat exists.

Greater pipefish

Long, slender pipefish living in seagrass beds and sheltered bays. Native and dependent on vegetated coastal habitats; males carry eggs and it’s an indicator of habitat quality.

Round goby

Invasive Ponto-Caspian goby established in some Belgian waterways. Aggressive and competitive, it alters local ecosystems and has spread rapidly where conditions allow.

Topmouth gudgeon

Invasive small cyprinid recorded in Belgian waters. Rapid reproducer and strong competitor to native small fish; considered a conservation threat where established.

Mosquitofish

Introduced to control mosquitoes and now found in some warm urban waters. Small, hardy and occasionally established; can compete with native small fish and affect invertebrate communities.

Twaite shad

Migratory clupeid entering estuaries and rivers to spawn. Regular visitor to southern North Sea and Scheldt estuary; notable for historic importance and seasonal runs into rivers.

Sea lamprey

Large migratory lamprey using both sea and rivers. Occurs in estuaries and sometimes ascends rivers; parasitic in marine phase and of conservation and cultural interest.

Gudgeon

Small native bottom-dweller common on gravel and sand substrates in rivers and streams. Often abundant and a favourite prey for larger predatory fish.

Chub

Large native cyprinid common in medium to large rivers, especially Meuse tributaries. Omnivorous and sociable, frequently caught by coarse anglers and notable for robust body shape.

Barbel

Rheophilic native preferring faster-flowing gravel-bottom rivers. Present in the Meuse and larger streams; valued by anglers and indicative of good riverine habitats.

Dace

Small native cyprinid forming shoals in faster-flowing river sections. Common in suitable riffles and runs, and an important prey species for predatory fish.

Garfish

Long slender surface fish visiting coastal waters in summer. Seasonal visitor often seen nearshore; notable for its elongated jaw and surface-feeding behaviour.

Other Fish by Country