Roach (Rutilus rutilus)

Scientific name: Rutilus rutilus Linnaeus, 1758

Roach (Rutilus rutilus)

The Roach (Rutilus rutilus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–20°C (50–68°F).

Roach care at a glance

Temperature
10–20°C (50–68°F)

Biology

Found in a wide variety of habitats, mainly in lowland areas. Most abundant in nutrient-rich lakes and large to medium sized rivers and backwaters. Also recorded from small lowland streams and from brackish coastal lagoons. In fast-flowing rivers, confined to stretches where backwaters or shelters allow for overwintering. Larvae and juveniles live in wide variety of littoral habitats. Preys predominantly on benthic invertebrates, zooplankton, plant material and detritus. May shift from littoral to pelagic habitats and between benthic food and zooplankton when abundance of a specific food item is high or for avoidance of predation and/or competition. Breeds among dense submerged vegetation in backwaters or lakes, flooded meadows or in shallow, fast-flowing river habitats on plant or gravel bottom. Undertakes short spawning migrations. Stays in backwaters o

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Rutilus rutilus
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
50.0
Common length
25.0
Depth range
15 m (49 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15 benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 15 - ? m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Europe: north to Pyrenees and Alps, eastward to Ural and Eya drainages (Caspian basin); Aegean basin in Pinios, Vardar, Vegoritis, Kastoria, Struma and Maritza drainages. Asia: Marmara basin and lower Sakarya in Anatolia, Aral basin, and Siberia from Ob eastward to Lena drainages. Naturally absent from Iberian Peninsula, Adriatic basin, Italy, Great Britain north of 56 N, Scandinavia north of 69? N. Locally introduced in Spain; introduced and invasive in northeastern Italy. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.10-0.21; tm=2-3; tmax=12)

Sources

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

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