Roach ©Jack Perks
Roach
Scientific name: Rutilus rutilus
The silvery roach can be seen gathering in large shoals in lowland ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers. It is a member of the carp family and looks very similar to the dace, chub and rudd.
Species information
Statistics
Length: 10-40cmWeight: up to 1.9kg
Average Lifespan: 8-14 years
Conservation status
Common.
When to see
January to DecemberAbout
The roach is a small to medium-sized fish. It is a member of the carp family and has the typical carp shape. It is found in large ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers. One of the most common fish in lakes, roach often gather in large shoals in shaded areas. They are omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, fish eggs, plants and seeds. Roach spawn in April and June, sticking their eggs to rocks and plants; the newly hatched fish stay attached to the vegetation until they have eaten their yolk sac.How to identify
The roach is a fairly deep-bodied, silvery fish, with dark, reddish-brown fins. It is deeper-bodied than both the slender chub and dace, but is very similar to the Rudd whose protruding lower lip is its defining characteristic.In our area
In the Isle of Man, roach are non-native but known to be present in low numbers.