Common Roach
by
Shop
Rutilus rutilus
Common & widespread in Britain.
Its body has a bluish-silvery colour and becomes white at the belly. The fins are red.
The number of scales along the lateral line is 39–48.
The dorsal and anal fins have 12–14 rays.
Young specimens have a slender build; older specimens acquire a higher and broader body shape.
The Roach can often be recognized by the big red spot in the iris above and beside the pupil.
Colours of the eye and fins can be very pale, however, in some environments.