Ruffe
| Ruffe | ||||||||||||
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Photo: Ron Offermans | ||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
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| Binomial name | ||||||||||||
| Gymnocephalus cernuus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) is a freshwater fish found in temperate regions of Europe and northern Asia. It has been introduced into the Great Lakes of North America, reportedly with unfortunate results.
The ruffe is about 25cm in total length. It lives in the deeper waters of lakes and quiet pools, or at the margins of streams, preferring a sandy or gravel bottom. It eats mainly invertebrates from the bottom of the water, though it will take small fish and some plant matter. It is in turn preyed on by larger fish.