Prespa Roach

Etymology The name of the genus Rutilus comes from the Latin word Rutilus meaning red, reddish. It is associated with the reddish and orange coloration of the eyes and fins of the fish. The Latin name prespensis is applied to the area of the Prespa Lakes that the Prespa roach inhabits.   Description This is an endemic species of ray-finned fishes which belongs to the Cyprinidaefa mily. It has an elongated body with large scales. It is distinguished from other species of Rutilus in the Balkan Peninsula by the following characteristics: 38-42 + 3 scales along lateral line; dorsal fin with 9½ branched rays; anal fin with 8½ branched rays; eye diameter 4-5% SL, 19-22% HL, 1.7-1.9 times in inter-orbital distance; body depth 27-31% SL; fins glassy to greyish, tip of anal and pelvic fins yellowish; snout rounded; angle between mouth cleft and horizontal about 15-250; lower profile of head smoothly rounded at lower jaw articulation. It grows up to maximum of 170 mm.   Distribution Europe:  Prespa Lakes basin. Lacustrine species which is found along shores and in shallow, swampy areas.   Biology Sexual maturity in males for the Prespa roach is reached in the second year (usually in the third year), while for females it is a year later. It spawns in lakes in MayJune usually at water temperatures of 16-18⁰C. The eggs are sticky and cling to the substrate. The development of embryos in the eggs takes about a week. It is well adapted to fluctuations in water level and changes in the water temperature. It is an omnivorous species.   Fishing significance High significance for commercial and recreational fishing.   Threats Potential threat to the species from water abstraction, drought, pollution and introduced species which could impact the whole lake. Prespa roach as well as bleak is the second prey of breeding Dalmatian pelicans (Pelecanus crispus) and cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) and other fish eating birds.   Conservation actions Strictly limited fishing quotas.