Italian Roach
📖 Overview
Inhabits deep waters of large, subalpine lakes and large to medium sized rivers. Occurs in small groups. Feeds in invertebrates, algae and detritus. Moves to shallow parts of rivers to spawn . Threatened due to overfishing and construction of weirs, which block access to spawning sites and the introduction of two alien species (European roach, Rutilus rutilus and European nase, Chondrostoma nasus) . Sexual maturity is attained at age 3+ or 4+ in males and 5+ in females at about 28-33 cm SL. Spawning occurs in April and May . Reaches a maximum size of about 45 cm SL .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Distinguished from its congeners in Apennine Peninsula by having the following unique characters: peritoneum black; and breeding males with two horizontal rows of distinct and separate tubercles on side of head above eye, lower one with 8-11 tubercles, upper one with 3-6 tubercles (tubercles reddish brown in ethanol); tubercles on body and head conical, sharply pointed, pointed slightly forward, occupying about 1/3 of exposed area of scale. Can be further separated from other species of the genus in Apennine Peninsula by the combination of the following characters: 43-46 + 3 scales along lateral line; dorsal fin with 10½ branched rays; anal fin with 11½ branched rays; mouth inferior; body laterally compressed, maximum width about 50% of body depth; iris silvery; flanks golden bronze in life, marbled with darker patches; and snout conical .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Italian Roach is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Each female lays 35,000-60,000 eggs depending on size .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.3 - 8.0; dH range: 15 - 30. Subtropical; 5°C - 20°C ; 50°N - 44°N, 7°E - 20°E
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Danube Roach · Italian Roach · pigo |
| 🌍CES | Plotice lesklá |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Donauskalle |
| 🇩🇪German | Frauenfisch · Frauennerfling · Pigo |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | Tonvansärki |
| 🇫🇷French | Gardon galant |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pigo |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Donauvoorn |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Rutilo del Danubio |
| 🌍SRP | Plotica |
| 🌍UKR | Плітка паннонська |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprinus pigus | Lacepède | 1803 | Synonym |
| Leuciscus roseus | Bonaparte | 1839 | Synonym |
| Leuciscus ryzela | Valenciennes | 1844 | Synonym |
| Rutilus pigo | - | - | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Italian Roach.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
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