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  Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus)

 
 

 

 


 

 

Taxonomy


Kingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

 


Animalia

Chordata

Actinopterygii

Perciniformes

Percidae

Gymnocephalus

Gymnocephalus cernus

 

 

    
 

The ruffe is essentially a fish of lowland rivers and lakes, living near the bottom in small schools. Feeds mainly on bloodworms (the larvae of non-biting midges) which burrow in the mud, but will also eat other small insect larvae and crustaceans. Breeds March-May, the eggs sticking to stones and plants. They hatch in 8-12 days and the young mature at 2-3 years. Ruffe rarely live beyond 5 years.

Body is moderately deep but the head is large with a blunt, rounded snout and rather small mouth. Head is scaleless with the skin covering large blister like cavities on the cheeks. Dorsal fins are continuous, the first with 11-16 slender spines, the second with 11-15 branched rays anal fin with 2 long spines and 5-6 branched rays.

 
       
       
 

Weight

Rarely 0.085kg (3oz), very few over 0.11kg (4oz).British rod caught record 5oz.4d

   
  Length Rarely exceed 12cm.    
  Age Maximum 6 years    
  Location Lowland rivers, lakes and canals.    
  Behaviour Shoaling, often in large numbers.    
  Preferred habitat Weed, sand or gravel substrate with low flow.    
  Feeding Forage in the substrate, most active dawn and dusk.    
  Natural food Insect larvae.    
  Maturity 2 years.    
  Fecundity 4,000-100,000 eggs per female.    
  Spawning times March-May.    
  Spawning Stones and weed in shallow water.    
  Migratory habits Limited home range.    
  Predators Pike, Perch, Chub, Barbel, Ruffe, and Eel.