Scientific Name
Gymnocephalus cernua

Common Name
Ruffe

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 11 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-16; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6; Vertebrae: 35 - 36. Distinguished uniquely from its congeners by its body depth 24-27% SL. Differs further from other members of the genus by the combination of having a flank yellowish with numerous, small, irregular, dark blotches and having 11-16 dorsal spines (Ref. 59043). Caudal fin with 16 to 17 rays (Ref. 40476). Dorsal fins are fused. Color brownish with dark spots (Ref. 35388).

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Perches (Percidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe

Distribution

Europe: Caspian, Black, Baltic and North Sea basins; Great Britain; north to about 69? N in Scandinavia. Asia: Aral Sea basin, Arctic Ocean basin eastward to Kolyma drainage. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

74°N - 43°N, 6°W - 169°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 8 - 12 demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - ? m (Ref. 9696)

Trophic Level

3.35 s.e. 0.31 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

25.0 cm

Common Length

12.0 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: minor commercial; gamefish: yes; bait: usually

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (58 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.4-0.48; tm=1-2)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)