Ruffe

Photo credit: ©John D. Lyons

---

Gymnocephalus cernuus

---

---

Origin and Distribution:

• Native to Europe and Asia. This species has become invasive in parts of continental Europe, Britain and also the Great Lakes in North America

---

Impacts:

• The rapid growth and reproduction rate of this species impacts on fish communities as food and resources for native and desirable fish species become reduced.
• Fish eggs are also a target food source for this species

---

How might it get here?

• Introductions of this species are generally accidental or unintentional. This species can be introduced as live bait or in ballast water

---

Is it found in Northern Ireland?

• Not present in Northern Ireland.

---

Prevent Spread:

• Do not introduce non-native fish species.
• Do not move species of fish from one waterbody to another.
• Do not use live bait.
• Report all sightings.

---

You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.

---

Contacts/further information

• http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?fr=1&si=544
• http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Gymnocephalus%20cernuus.html
• Adams, C.E. and Maitland, P.S. (1998). The Ruffe Population of Loch Lomond, Scotland: Its Introduction, Population Expansion, and Interaction with Native Species. Journal of Great Lakes Research, [online] 24(2), pp.249–262. Available at: http://www.reabic.net/publ/Adams_et%20al_1998_ruffe.pdf 
• Brown, W. et al. (1998). Reproduction and early life history of Ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) in the St. Louis River; a Lake Superior tributary.  Journal of Great Lakes 24 (2): 2 17-227.  Available from: https://www.reabic.net/publ/Brown_et%20al_1998.pdf
• http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/ruffe_threat
• Dulcic, J. et al., (2005). First record of ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernuus (Percidae), in the Hutovo Blato wetland, Adriatic drainage system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 
• Anonymous (1996). Ruffe Control Program. Report Submitted to the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force by the Ruffe Control Committee. Available from: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/Species%20plans/RUFFE%20CONTROL%20PROGRAM.pdf. Accessed 13 January 2011.
• Fact Sheet 4:TFM and SEA LAMPREY CONTROL A Success Story Available from http://www.glfc.org/pubs/FACT_4.pdf

For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk  

Species Related Files: