Fish
Rudd
Scardinius erythrophthalmus
On a warm summer afternoon in a weedy lake, a shoal of rudd dimples the surface, their golden flanks and red fins flashing as they snatch fallen insects.
Overview
The rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, is a Least Concern carp relative of lakes, ponds, and slow rivers across most of Europe and western Asia. Its red fins, upturned mouth, and love of the surface make it one of the most colourful and recognisable freshwater fish of the region.
A fish that feeds at the top
Because its mouth points upwards, the rudd is well placed to pick insects off the water’s surface, which sets it apart from the roach it is often mistaken for.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and common.
Rudd: common questions
How can you tell a rudd from a roach?
The rudd has a dorsal fin set further back, an upturned mouth with a protruding lower jaw, and a more strongly keeled belly.
What do rudd eat?
They eat insects that fall on the surface, small crustaceans, snails, and water plants.
Do rudd hybridise?
Yes, they breed with roach and bream where they share spawning grounds, producing hybrids that can be hard to identify.
Where is the rudd found?
It lives in lakes, ponds, and slow rivers across most of Europe and western Asia.