Donets ruffe (Gymnocephalus acerina)

Scientific name: Gymnocephalus acerina Gmelin, 1789

Donets ruffe (Gymnocephalus acerina)

The Donets ruffe (Gymnocephalus acerina) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–24°C (50–75°F).

Donets ruffe care at a glance

Temperature
10–24°C (50–75°F)

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Gymnocephalus acerina
Family
Percidae (Perches)
Order
Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
21.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Temperate
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.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries:
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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