A smaller relative of the perch, the ruffe’s green, mottled colouring helps it to blend in with the mud and vegetation at the bottom of the canals and rivers it lives in.
Ruffe can also be called ‘pope’.
Ruffe
Scientific name
Gymnocephalus cernuus
Family
Percidae
Diet
Fly larvae, mayfly larvae and eggs
Predators
Pike and zander
Size
15cm
Weight
10-40gms
Record weight
5oz 4dms (148gms)
Lifespan
3-6 years
Ruffe and our canals
Found on most of our canals and rivers, ruffe often fall prey to its larger relatives, zander and perch. In turn, they hunt along the bottom, feeding on small worms, insects and tiny fish.
How to identify a ruffe
Ruffe are usually a sandy to dark brown colour with blotchy black markings and speckles across the upper body and dorsal fin. They have two dorsal fins that join together – the front is generally hard while the rear is soft. Ruffe have short triangular heads and large mouths for feeding on small insects, snails, eggs and fry of other fish. They have a number of sharp spines called rays.
Lifecycle of a ruffe
Ruffe reproduce at a surprisingly fast rate. Gathering in shoals in April-May, they spawn in shallow water at temperatures of 10-15C. Females deposit their eggs on stones and plants, and they hatch after 8-10 days. Growing slowly, ruffe mature at 1-2 years old.
Who would want to be born as a ruffe? For starters, they don’t grow big and will be lucky to celebrate a fifth birthday
Where to find ruffe
Ruffe are bottom-living fish in the lower reaches of rivers or lakes. They can be found in small numbers on most canals, especially in the north of England. A 120gm fish was caught on the Shropshire Union Canal in 2023 at the National Celebration of Young People.
Catching a ruffe at the National Celebration of Young People.
How to catch a ruffe
The best bait by far is small pieces of chopped up worm.
Carl Nicholls, fisheries & angling manager
Ruffe are quite difficult to target as an individual species and don't compete very well with other coarse fish species. When you catch a few ruffe, it's usually a sign that they are the only fish around. They are purely bottom-feeding fish and scavenge around, picking up leftovers from other species.
You’ll need small hooks around sizes 18-24, with small pieces of chopped-up worm as bait.
Ruffe exhibit a distinctive response once caught, becoming extremely rigid and extending its very spiky dorsal fin and flaring its gill covers. Please take care when handling this fish.
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