Scottish Coarse Fish Species - Roach
Latin Name - Rutilus rutilus
Perhaps the most popular coarse fish in Scotland. While only a few specialise in catching the Roach, most coarse anglers are fond of it and a large Roach is highly prized. Long established in most of the rivers and lochs of lowland Scotland, the range of the Roach stops north of the Tay with the exception of isolated populations.
Scottish Record -
| 2 lb 11oz | 1.219 kg | Strathclyde Stillwater | P. Russell | 1987 |
|
Weight
|
Rarely 1.4kg (3lb), very few over 1.6kg (3.5lb). |
|
Length
|
Rarely exceed 40cm. |
|
Age
|
Maximum 18 years. |
|
Location
|
Lowland rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and drains. |
|
Behaviour
|
Shoaling as young fish and adults. |
|
Preferred
habitat
|
Slow water, variable depth and dense weed, very adaptable. |
|
Feeding
|
Most active from June to October, dawn and dusk. |
|
Natural
food
|
Zooplankton, bloodworm, snails, filamentous algae. |
|
Maturity
|
Males 2-4 years, females 3-5 years. |
|
Fecundity
|
1,000-15,000 eggs per female. |
|
Spawning
times
|
April to early June, 8-14°C. |
|
Spawning
|
Dense weed, occasionally gravel. |
|
Migratory
habits
|
Limited home range, spawning migrations. |
|
Predators
|
Pike, Perch and Zander |