Bleak
Alburnus alburnus
Common Rudd
Scardinius erythrophthalmus
About
The common rudd is a plant-loving freshwater fish found across Europe and central Asia, often seen hovering near the surface among weed beds. It typically grows to about 20 cm.
Also known as: scardinius erythrophthalmus, eurasian rudd, european rudd, pearl roach, redeye, rudd
- Length
- 20 cm
- Depth
- up to 50 m
- Temperature
- 2–22 °C
How to tell it apart
It is often confused with the roach. The clearest way to tell them apart is the eye: this species has a plain yellow eye, while the roach has a red spot above the pupil.
Appearance
This fish has a yellowish-green body and an upturned mouth built for feeding near the surface. Its dorsal fin sits further back than on similar fish, and most of its fins are bright red, though the dorsal and pectoral fins are greyish with a red tint.
Habitat
It prefers clear, plant-rich lakes, river backwaters, and ponds with a good level of nutrients, and tends to avoid acidic water. It feeds and hunts mainly near the surface and in shallow, weedy areas.
Is it dangerous?
potential pest
Did you know?
In laboratory conditions, it readily hybridises with the American golden shiner, a fish from a completely different continent.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
