10 20 40 60 cm
mittakaava < 40 cm
© Copyright: Images:
Gösta Sundman: Suomen Kalat (Kansalliskirjasto, The National Library of Finland), Lauri Urho, Jouko Lehmuskallio. All rights reserved.
- Family: Carps and minnows – Cyprinidae
- Similar species: chub, ide, roach
- Size: 15-25 cm.
- Appearance: Large rudd are deep bodied, stocky fish. Body deeper than the roach though not as deep as the common or white bream. Smaller individuals closely resemble roach. Pelvic fins well forward of leading edge of dorsal fin, but roughly level in the roach. Mouth clearly turned upwards. Scales slightly larger than those of the roach: lateral line has 40-43 scales, roach average 42-45.
- Colouring: Large rudd tend to be darker than roach with a golden tinge to their scales. Easily distinguished from roach by the deep red pelvic, anal and caudal fins. Pectoral and dorsal fins also reddish. Fins redder than any other member of the cyprinids. Eye yellow, sometimes orange, never as red as in the roach.
- Reproduction: Spawns in May-June in shallow reedy bays when the water temperature has reached 17-22 degrees.
- Food: Benthic invertebrates and plant material.
- Distribution and habitat: Inhabits warm waters in southern Finland. Found in several large lakes and common in coastal waters of the Gulf of Finland. Less common in the Gulf of Bothnia. Prefers shallow, nutrient-rich lakes and sea inlets with muddy bottoms. Aquatic vegetation is important as both cover and food source.