Roger's Angling Pages
Gymnocephalus schraetzer		Perch family Percidae

Gymnocephalus schraetzer, a close relative of the Ruffe, lives in the watershed of the river Danube, but mainly in the river itself. As opposed to the former species, this fish has a more slender, elongated body with a more pointed head. The sides of the body are yellowish with 2 to 3 longitudinal stripes, which easily identify it. It likes to stay in deep currents on the gravelly river bed.

This fish does not reach large proportions and grows to a length of 20 cm and a weight of 2 oz. Breeding takes place in spring on the gravel, where the female sheds several thousand small eggs. Various insect larvae and bottom- living organisms form the main food supply. When other fishes are breeding, their spawn and fry are eaten in addition.

G. schraetzer is not fished anywhere in large numbers and so has no economic importance. It is only an occasional catch. Fishing techniques are the same as those employed for Ruffe, and again like the Ruffe it makes good bait for catching Pikeperch.