The common dace differs from other members in the genus Leuciscus found in Europe by its inferior mouth, slightly longer upper jaw which has the tip of the upper lip level with the centre line of the eye and the lack of an obvious snout.

In the Danube main river of Romania as well as in Scandinavia north of 69°N and most of central Finland this species has a localised distribution.

[3] It is a surface dwelling fish which gather in shoals of adults in the lower reaches of rivers and backwaters during the winter.

The juveniles hide among the cavities and roots in the bankside vegetation and as they mature they move into faster flowing water.

[2] The common dace is fished for by coarse anglers and the British rod caught record is 1.32 pounds (.599 kg).