Rudd

Looks how to spot one

Deep-bodied, scaled fish

A tall, flattened fish with a keeled belly and an upturned mouth made for picking food off the surface. The dorsal fin starts well behind the pelvic fins, which helps tell it apart from the similar roach.32

Personality what they are like

Peaceful but alert. Rudd move about in shoals near the surface and are quick to scatter at any sudden movement.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active swimmer of the upper water layers, most lively from spring to early autumn and around dawn and dusk. It is quick to dart away when startled.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep a group in a roomy, well-planted pond with open surface water to patrol. Some countries restrict moving or stocking rudd, so check local rules.32

Home where they are happiest

Clear, still or slow water with lots of plants, such as a well-planted pond. FishBase gives 2 to 22 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5; it tolerates a wide range of conditions.123

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Young fish eat zooplankton and insects; adults eat mainly algae and water plants, plus insects that fall on the surface.231

Company who they like around

A shoaling fish, so it is happiest kept in a group.3

The story where it all began

The rudd is a common wild fish of European lakes and slow rivers and has long been popular with anglers. It was taken to several other countries, including Ireland, North America and New Zealand, and a golden ornamental form is kept in garden ponds.23

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Assessed as Least Concern (2022)1