Roach

Name: Roach

Scientific name: Rutilus rutilus

Category: Fish

Nature Stars: 40

What are nature stars?

About: A small to medium sized fish, 10-25cm. A member of the Carp family, with the typical carp shape. Found in large ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers. One of the commonest lake fish, where it often gathers in large shoals in shaded areas. Omnivorous, feeding on invertebrates, fish eggs, plants and seeds.

How to identify: A fairly deep bodied, silvery fish, with dark reddish-brown fins. Deeper bodied than both Chub and Dace. Rudd is a very similar species, hard to tell apart.

Where: Found throughout the lowlands, widespread in England but rarer in Wales and Scotland.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 50
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 40
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: Roach is a favourite food for herons.

Photograph credit: Michel Roggo/naturepl