Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Rudd

Family: Cyprinidae

Origin: Eurasia

A grumpy looking fish with silver and orange streaks.
Rudd range from silver in juveniles to pale orange in colour in adults.
Photo credit: Stephen Moore

Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status

  • Aotea — Exclusion
  • Priority Lakes Tomarata and Rototoa
  • Whole region — Sustained control
  • Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest

View more about the RPMP statuses

General description

Fish with bright red fins, usually between 200-250 mm long.

What you need to know

To help protect our environment:

Habitats

Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams.

Impact on environment

Herbivory can negatively impact plant growth, survival and community composition, sometimes leading to aquatic plant collapse in lakes. Selective feeding can promote weed success.

Competes with native fish for invertebrates. May cause lake to flip to turbid state by eating zooplankton and re-suspending sediment.

Control

Management

Check equipment and vessels for freshwater pests, clean everything that has been in contact with the water and dry everything thoroughly.

For more information about rudd and how to manage them, contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

A rudd swimming.
Rudd prefer ponds, lakes and slow flowing streams.
Photo credit: Stephen Moore