Description
Introduced North American species, found in warm, still waters.
How to identify it
Black gill cover with a red-orange spot on the edge, blue-green lines on the cheek, orange belly.
Appearance
A small, very deep fish, compressed from the sides, with a profile reminiscent of a pumpkin seed; it usually measures about ten centimetres and only rarely approaches 30. The flanks are vividly coloured, with green, blue and orange reflections, orange speckling on the body and fins and faint darker vertical bands. The mouth is small. The dorsal and anal fins have very sharp spiny rays, which are best avoided when removing the hook.
Habitat and habits
Native to North America, in Europe it is an invasive species. It lives in calm, warm waters: ponds, small lakes, gravel pits, oxbow lakes and slow stretches of small rivers, preferably clear and rich in vegetation. It stays close to the bank, among plants, sunken branches and stones; juveniles form groups in a few decimetres of water, while adults move in small groups just a little further out. It is active by day, feeding most in the afternoon, and rests near the bottom at night.
There's more in the app
This species' bite index, recommended baits and methods, and the rules of the day for every water. Offline too.
Soon on Android and iPhone
