Hölker, F. and R. Thiel, 1997.  Biology of Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.)): A Review of Selected European Literature, University of Hamburg

Biology of Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.)): A Review of Selected European Literature

ABSTRACT
The focus of this synthesis is ruffe research in Germany, Poland, Russia, Austria, Hungary and Scandinavia over the last 100 years. In Germany, ruffe were formerly an important commercial fish. Literature data about the feeding ecology of ruffe from different types of waters was compiled. Ruffe are food generalists with a tendency to feed benthivoric, but planktivoric food intake is not unusual. There are some indications that female ruffe feed more intensely than male ruffe. Pikeperch, pike, eel, and burbot are mentioned to be the main predators of ruffe. Some articles concerned with the metabolism of ruffe are discussed. Results of different papers regarding daily ration were summarized to define the range of food intake. Daily rations of 0.4 and more than 30% of body wet weight were found. Ruffe from the Elbe Estuary and from the brackish Baltic waters usually grow better than freshwater populations. Maximum annual production values of ruffe were recorded in these waters. Some authors agree that, compared to living in freshwater, ruffe utilized the better nutritional situation in the brackish water, which ultimately induces better growth. Poor growth of some populations was explained by competition of ruffe (e.g. with bream (Abramis brama)). Better growth of females has been recorded.

Contact: Franz Holker, Institute of Hydrobiology and Fishery Science, University of Hamburg, Germany or hy5a001@rrz.uni-hamburg.de
Keywords: Ruffe, Basic_biology, Ecological_interactions
Product Type: Publications, Conference_proceedings
User Type: General