Schractzer (Gymnocephalus schraetser) And Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua)
The schractzer has a long and relatively low body, a pointed head and sharp spines on the gill covers. It may grow up to 24 cm in length. It has an olive-green back and yellow sides, which have 3 to 4 black, sometimes interrupted longitudinal stripes. The front part of its dorsal fin has dark oval spots arranged in regular rows. It is a relatively rare species, but is more abundant in the deep currents and sandy sections of rivers. It occurs in the Danube and its tributaries from Bavaria down to its estuary.
The ruffe is a smallish fish which averages a length of only 10 to 15 cm. It has a grey-green back decorated by dull, dark spots, and brownish sides. Its gill covers have a strong metallic sheen, the belly is yellow-white and the dorsal and tail fins arc profusely covered with small dark dots. The first, spiny dorsal fin is fused completely with the second dorsal fin, which in contrast has branched rays. It thrives in the lower reaches of rivers. Its diet consists of small invertebrates and young fish. It spawns between April and June on the river bed.
It lives in an area stretching from eastern England and north-eastern France throughout the whole of Europe. It does not live in Ireland, Scotland, in northern Norway, on the Iberian peninsula, in Italy and in the western and southern Balkans.
Gymnocephalus schraetser
Maximum size and weight:
25 cm, 150 g.
Identifying characteristics: Long, slender body with large head. Gill covers with long spines. 3-4 black longitudinal stripes along sides.
Gyrnnocephalus cernua
Maximum size and weight:
15 cm, 70 g.
Identifying characteristics : Dorsal fins fused into one. Body compressed at sides, lateral line incomplete. Mouth small, terminal; gill covers with spines.
