Slovak coin 5 EUR 2025 - Danubian salmon stand

Another issue in the series of commemorative euro coins dedicated to Slovak fauna commemorates the Danube salmon.

The Danube salmon is rightly called the queen of Slovak rivers. It is the largest European salmon fish and one of the largest predatory freshwater fish in general. Its slender but sturdy body grows to a length of up to 150 centimeters and a weight of up to 50 kilograms. In order to grow well and live for more than 15 years, it must eat well – it likes to feast on small fish, lampreys, larger invertebrates, small mammals, and frogs. It prefers rugged natural streams with clean, cold, flowing water that is well oxygenated. It seeks out rocky and gravelly bottoms, where it then stays in various potholes. It also lays its eggs in these depressions – when building a nest, the fish pair moves up to a ton of gravel and sand, even managing stones the size of a human head. As the species name suggests, the huchen's original home is the Danube River basin. It has also been artificially introduced into other European rivers, but its presence in these areas is generally viewed negatively because it can decimate populations of other river fish. The bullhead itself also becomes prey – it is targeted by poachers and fishermen who mistake it for trout. Or so they claim – a bullhead trophy is the dream of almost every sport fisherman...

The reverse side of the coin, designed by medal maker Tomáš Lamač, DiS., is dominated by a pair of Danube bullheads on the rocky bottom of a mountain river. The texts give the Slovak and Latin names of the species: HLAVATKA PODUNAJSKÁ – HUCHO HUCHO. The obverse side of the coin features another danube salmon about to devour its prey in the form of a smaller fish. The relief of the coin also features the Slovak national emblem, the inscription SLOVENSKO, the year of issue 2025 and the nominal value 5 EURO.

The commemorative coin made of base metals was minted by Mincovňa Kremnica and issued by National Bank of Slovakia.