Taxonomy

Rutilus rutilus | Roach | Róiste

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Least Concern

Legal status

Third Schedule listed species under Regulations 49 & 50 in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011.  (Note: Regulation 50 not yet enacted).

Republic of Ireland: protected by Coarse Fish bye-law No. 806, 2006: maximum 4 fish per angler per day; no killing of coarse fish > 25cm.

Native status

Non-native

First reported in the wild

1905

Invasiveness

Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact

Irish status

Established

Introduction pathways - 1

Release in Nature

Introduction pathways subclass - 1

Fishing in the wild

Invasive score

15

NAPRA Ireland risk assessed

No

Species Biology

Identification

Adults 20-40cm in length, 1-2kg in weight with a deep body and  a single dorsal fin (Carter, 2004). Colouration:  Dark back, bright silver flanks and reddish brown pectoral, pelvic and anal fins, red eyes (Carter, 2004).

Ecology

Juveniles feed on small invertebrates and zooplankton with adults feeding on larger benthic invertebrates and filamentous algae (Carter, 2004). Hybridise with bream (Abramis brama) and Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), both important angling species in Ireland though themselves non-native, with rudd disappearing from lakes in the last 40 years possibly due to the presence of roach (King et al., 2011). Rudd can reproduce in large numbers under favourable conditions out-competing other fish species and impacting on lotic food webs. A study of Lough Neagh found the introduction of roach caused a decrease in the population of tufted ducks (Aythya fuligula) but an increase in overwintering great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus)  (Winfield et al., 1992). 

Habitat

Inland surface waters

Reproduction

Large females can lay up to 200,000 eggs, generally in shallow areas with dense submerged vegeation, spawning in Spring when water temperatures reach 14 degrees (Carter, 2004).

Pathway and vector description

Initally introduced at two sites in Northern Ireland in 1905 in Co Tyrone and into the Erne in the 1930s spreading from there into the main Erne catchement in the 1960s (King et al., 2011). Subsequently translocated to the Neagh, Shannon, Lough Corrib and other waters since the 1970s (King et al., 2011).

Mechanism of impact

Competition, Hybridisation, Grazing/Herbivory/Browsing

Broad environment

Terrestrial

Habitat description

Generally prefer lowland rivers and still waters, roach are tolerant of poor water quality with roach less numerous in clear water environments (Carter, 2004).

Species group

Vertebrate

Native region

Europe, Temperate Asia

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Native to Europe and Russia, introduced into Ireland and the Iberian penninsula.

Irish distribution

Established - Widespread, common in the west of the country and the Shannon river system, absent from the south east of the country at present.

Native distribution

Native to Europe and Asia, in Europe from the Baltic Sea and Scandanavia to Turkey including Britain, and in Asia present in Russia as far east as the Lena river in northern Siberia (Freyhof, & Kottelat, 2008).

Temporal change

Date of first record category

1901-1910

Fifty year date category

1901-1950

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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How can you help

Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.

References

Publications

Carter, M. (2004) Roach Rutilus rutilus In: Freshwater fishes in Britain the species and their distribution (eds) Davies, C., Shelley, J., Harding, P., McLean, I., Gardiner, R. & Peirson, G., Harley Books, Essex. King, J.L., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Boylan, P., Caffrey, J.M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Gargan, P.G., Kelly, F.L., O’Grady, M.F., Poole, R., Roche, W.K. & Cassidy, D. (2011) Ireland Red List No. 5: Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland. Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. (2008) Rutilus rutilus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

Ireland Red List No. 5: Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish



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