Rivers and Ponds

Wed, 11 Jan 2006 14:11:53 +0000

Zone 3
Koi Caro, three-cpined ctickleback, roach, carp, bream, brown or sea trout.

Roach - Rutilus rutilus

Often confused with rudd, roach are different in several ways, one being that the irises of its eyes are red where those of rudd are golden with a red fleck on the upper side. Roach also have a straight mouth right at the end of their head whereas rudd have an upturned mouth a bit like a smile!
Max size – Approx 35cm
Distribution – Widespread across Europe and introduced to many other areas due its popularity among anglers
Feeds on – Omnivores, eating insects, crustaceans, molluscs and plants

Carp – Cyprinus carpio

Carp is thought to be one of the oldest farmed fish, probably introduced into the British Isles by the Romans 2000years ago. Carp are thought to live at least 40years. They breed only when the water temperature reaches 17-18^oC in the shallows in spring. Water temperatures rarely reach this in northern Europe and so successful spawning does not occur every year. Therefore populations in these areas are dependent on artificial stocking.

Max size – Approx 60 – 70cm
Distribution – Western Europe through Asia to China and South East Asia, Siberia and India
Feeds on – Omnivorous, eating bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as aquatic insects, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic plants

Bream – Abramis brama

Bream (also called bronze or carp bream) are believed to be the slimiest European fish! They are a large member of the carp family and are easily confused with other types of bream including blue, Danube and silver bream. Bream live in shoals and when they are juveniles, often feed on insects like midges close to the water surface in the summer, getting the nickname ‘skimmers’.
Max size – Approx 50-60cm
Distribution – Europe and Asia
Feeds on – Primarily bottom dwelling insects, small crustaceans, molluscs, plants and small fish

London Aquarium - Rivers and Ponds

Rivers and Ponds