Scientific Name
Gymnocephalus acerina

Common Name
Donets ruffe

Biology
Found in flowing waters and lakes with clear water. Also inhabits rapids during summer. Occurs over sand and gravel bottom but prefers hard compact sand. Usually crepuscular but feeds also during daytime. Preys predominantly on benthic invertebrates (crustaceans, insect larvae, molluscs), rarely on fish. Forms small schools. In September, starts forming large schools and moves to deeper places and remains inactive until ice melts. Does not undertake long distance migrations. Spawns in small schools river stretches with heavy current and sand or gravel bottom (Ref.59043).

Classification

Classified By

Gmelin, 1789

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Perches (Percidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe

Distribution

Europe: basins of northern Black Sea and Sea of Azov in Dniester, South Bug, Dniepr, Don rivers and Kuban drainages; in Dniepr up to Belarus. Rare in most of its range.

Range

53°N - 44°N, 27°E - 25°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

24 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

3.61 s.e. 0.53 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

21.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries:

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (30 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)