How does it look?

Ruffe is a small fish that grows slowly. In Latvia, its length can reach up to 20 cm, with a weight of up to 120 g. Ruffe has a relatively round cross-section. The back is brown, the sides are brownish-green or greyish, with small black spots. There are also speckles on the back and tail fin. The belly is yellow or white. The mouth has small teeth, facing forward or slightly downward. Gill covers have spines.

Where does it live?

Found in rivers and lakes.

What does it eat?

The main diet of ruffe consists of zooplankton and benthos, which includes organisms living in the bottom sediment of a water body or attached to underwater objects. Additionally, the ruffe often feeds on small roaches, bleak, and other fish roe.

Interesting and important facts

Despite its small size, ruffe is known for its aggressive behavior. Reproductive maturity is typically reached at 1-5 years, usually around 3-12 cm in length. Spawning takes place in weedy areas from April to July, with a female capable of laying anywhere from 400 to 200.000 eggs.

Information sources: Wikipedia

Image author: Anastasija Ovsepjana