Donets ruffe

Gymnocephalus acerina

Benthic Hunter of European Waters

Temperate
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
Europe
Fusiform
Medium
Temperate fish

The Donets ruffe (Gymnocephalus acerina) is a species of perch native to eastern Europe where it occurs in the basins of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. They inhabit freshwater lakes and rivers usually over hard compacted sand. They are predominantly crepuscular and prey mostly on invertebrates (crustaceans, insect larvae, mollusks), rarely on fish.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Perches and Allies
Family: Percidae
Genus: Gymnocephalus
Maximum length: 21 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: Europe: basins of northern Black Sea and Sea of Azov in Dniester, South Bug, Dniepr, Don rivers and Kuban drainages; in Dniepr up to Belarus. Rare in most of its range.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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