Valaam whitefish originating from diadromous whitefish of the Baltic and North Seas forms a diadromous form with multiple gill rakers, described for Ladoga and Onega lakes. It is often found in the Ladoga Lake near the island of Valaam, hence the name. It lives at a depth exceeding 50 m. During emersion to the surface its swim bladder increases in size, inflating the stomach, for which it is also called goitered whitefish. It feeds on benthic organisms and plankton. The usual length of Valaam whitefish is from 40 to 50 cm. Its weight is about 1-1.5 kg. Large specimens reach a length of more than half a meter and a weight of more than 2 kg.