Common roach

The common roach is a widespread freshwater fish of the carp family Cyprinidae, native to rivers and lakes across much of Europe and western Asia. It has a silvery, laterally compressed body with reddish-orange fins and red-tinged eyes. Roach are highly social, gregarious fish that live in large shoals and are peaceful toward other species. They are active swimmers that occupy open water at all depths. As a temperate, cold-water fish that reaches a substantial size and forms big schools, it is more suited to garden ponds and large coldwater aquaria than typical tropical setups. It thrives in cool, well-oxygenated water with open swimming space. An omnivore, it feeds on invertebrates, plant matter, algae, and detritus. It spawns in spring, scattering sticky eggs over submerged vegetation.