Fish Name: Ruffe Pope

Latin Name: Gymnocephalus cernua

Maximum Size: 15cm

Preferred Water Conditions: Will acclimatize to a wide range of conditions. pH: 6.5-8.0

Temperature: Cold water-temperate between 2-20 deg C (34-72 deg F)

Care: Adult Ruffe are a predatory fish and will happily take fish up to one third their own body size. As young, they will feed on insects and small crustaceans, even fish fry.

These should not be kept in ponds that have a number of small fish as they won’t last!

Ruffe are found in rivers and lakes throughout the UK, usually in still areas and deeper water. Small Ruffe will often shoal so should not be kept individually. However, adult Ruffe often spend long periods alone in the wild as they become more predatory.

They require high oxygen levels so a good water movement and filtration is important.