Gymnocephalus cernuus

The ruffel (Gymnocephalus cernuus) is a species of perciform fish of the freshwater family Percids that inhabits temperate regions of Europe and northern Asia. It has been introduced by humans to the Great Lakes area of the United States, without ever establishing itself as an invasive species.

Description

It is about 25 cm long, and lives in the deep waters of lakes, in areas of calm water, or on the banks of streams, preferring sandy or gravelly soils. It feeds mainly on invertebrates, although it also feeds on small fish. Females live up to 10 years, while males only reach 7.

Taxonomy

It was described by Carlos Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his Systema naturæ including it in the genus Perca with the name Perca cernua.

Original publication

• Linnæi, Caroli (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, generate, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (Editio decima reformata). Holmiae: Direct Impensis. Laurentii Salvii. p. 294.