Smelt populates the sea and coastal water of Europe, from the Baltic Sea to Biscaya. It grows to a length of maximum 30 cm and reaches the age of 6 years. During the spawning time, smelts come together in large shoals and migrate to the lower reaches of large currents. At this point of time, they are often massively caught with nets, whereby their reproduction is being impaired. Smelts are genuine sand spawners. It often comes to a massive die-out after spawning. The food spectrum comprises smaller bottom-dwellers and plankton, but also young fish of its own kind.

Because of the strong decimation of populations due to overfishing and water pollution, the commercial importance of smelt is severely decreased. However, more recently it has also experienced a recovery due to the improvement of the water quality.

In addition to its significance as edible fish, smelt is also merchandized for fishkeeping and terrarium keeping as food fish for various predatory fishes and reptiles.