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A small fish from the perch family, a relative of such tasty and aggressive predators as pike perch And perch, considered indispensable when preparing fish soup while on the shore. Ruff adds excellent flavor and richness to fish soup, so even its small size often goes unnoticed by many experienced fishermen.
The main characteristics of the spiny fish:
The ruff is similar to the perch. and pike perch, but fishermen will definitely not be able to confuse it with its relatives. When examining this specimen, the following characteristics can be noted:
- The fish's body is tapered near the tail and slightly flattened on the sides.
- The large, cloudy eyes are slightly bulging, and the head appears larger than that of many similar fish of this size.
- The narrow mouth allows it to attack various live and artificial baits perfectly.
- The scales, like those of other representatives of the family, are small and dense.
- The tail is divided into two rays and is relatively small in size.
- The main distinguishing feature of ruffs is their sharp spines. The same can be found on the dorsal fin of this fish.
- The color of individuals varies depending on the body of water they inhabit. Some ruffs can be gray-green with yellowish sides. Furthermore, while pike-perch and perch have stripes across their bodies, ruffs have dark spots or dots instead.
- The size of a large individual can be only 15-20 cm, but the weight sometimes reaches more than 100 grams.
- This fish is native to many rivers and lakes, not only in Russia but also in many other countries. The ruff thrives in both fresh and slightly salty waters.
This small predator can dive to great depths (85 m) or stay close to the surface. Another important factor is that the ruff survives well in both cold and warm waters.
A small, aggressive predator, it can defensively attack larger predators, such as pike or zander, forcing even the hefty, large, and toothy fish to retreat.
You can catch a ruff in almost any weather conditions, regardless of the season. Only in April is it difficult to catch a predator, as the fish leave for the spawning season. Ruffs are especially easy to catch early in the morning, when the predator is hunting.
Various types of bait can be used, and even a practically bare hook won't scare off this eager aggressor. It attacks greedily. Sometimes, even after being pricked by a sting, it doesn't stop and happily swallows the bait.
Conclusion
Incidentally, many fishermen believe that catching a ruff will ensure a successful and trophy fishing trip. It can be an excellent addition to fish soup, making it more delicious, rich, and fatty, despite its relatively small size. It's worth noting that many fishermen don't even clean the ruff in the wild, which makes the fish delicacies even more delicious and rich.
Important! Don't place this predatory fish in the same landing net with other trophies, as it is very vicious and aggressive. Its spines can be fatal to fish. The mucus on the fish's body is quite poisonous and toxic.
