The Rudd, or Scardinius erythrophthalmus, is an omnivorous, deep bodied fish with a forked tail and a mouth with a protruding angular lower lip. The scales are very distinct, and are dark greenish-brown in the back, white on the belly, and shiny yellow on the sides. It has reddish brown dorsal and tail fins, and bright orange pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins. Adult rudd can be 25-30 centimeters in length and weigh about 250 grams. Young rudds eat macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, and occasionally small fish. Adult rudd feed mainly on submerged aquatic plants.
It is a member of the Cyprinidae family (also known as the minnow family), a family of freshwater fish, many of which are invasive species, in Asia, Africa, North America, and Europe. The invasive, stocky Rudd are native to Europe and Middle Asia, but have been reported in 22 states including Illinois, as well as in Canada, Morocco, New Zealand, Spain, and Tunisia, making it a pest and a serious problem all over the world.
Cyprinidae are characterized by:
Cyprinidae are characterized by:
- Their toothless jaws - Cyprinidae have specialized bow gills and a bony skull that allows them to "chew" their food.
- Their well developed sense of hearing - Cyprinidae have a Weberian Organ, which transfers motion from their gas bladder into their inner ear. This amplifies sound waves, allowing fish to hear sounds from a further distance.
- Their large scales - Cyprinidae have large scales all over their body EXCEPT for on their heads.
- Their reproductory habits - Cyprinidae lay eggs, and most spawn their eggs without any parental care.