Page 363 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

OTHER COLDWATER FISH 361

Leuciscus idus
Orfe

ORIGINS Widely distributed through northern Europe,
although it does not occur naturally in Norway.
SIZE 24 in (60 cm).
DIET Pond foods and live foods.
WATER Temperature 32–86°F (0–30°C); hard
(100–150 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5).
TEMPERAMENT Social and active by nature.
Silver Orfe Although this strain corresponds very closely Blue Orfe The coloration of Blue Orfe looks attractive
Wild Orfe display the same coloration as the to the wild color form, it is less commonly kept than the in isolation but is not especially conspicuous in a pond
domesticated strain known as the Silver Orfe. All Golden Orfe. The life span of Orfe in pond surroundings setting. Unfortunately, however, Orfe generally grow too
Orfe have a narrow, streamlined body shape and can be in excess of 15 years. large to be housed in a coldwater aquarium.
need plenty of space for swimming, especially as
they grow larger. Keep these fish in small groups
to make them less nervous. On mild summer
evenings, Orfe can often be seen patrolling just
below the pond’s surface in search of gnats.
At this time of year, they are especially vulnerable
to low oxygen levels in the water. Including a
fountain or waterfall in their pond will help to
address this problem by improving the level of
dissolved oxygen in the water. Orfe are easy to
sex in summer, since the females swell with eggs Golden Orfe Black speckles on the
and mature males develop white tubercles on their upperparts offset the orange-gold
gill plates and along the edges of the pectoral fins. coloration, which is much richer in
These cyprinids can breed successfully by the time some individuals than others. The
they are four years old. They lay their eggs among depth of orange coloration can be
pond plants. Hatching can take nearly three weeks. improved by color feeding.

Cyprinella lutrensis Scardinius erythrophthalmus
Red Shiner Rudd

ORIGINS North America, occurring in the Midwest, the ORIGINS Widely distributed in northern Europe, but
Mississippi drainage basin, and northern Mexico. absent from much of Scotland and Scandinavia.
SIZE 3 ⁄2 in (9 cm). SIZE 18 in (45 cm).
1
DIET Flake, live foods, and small pellets. DIET Pond pellets will be eaten readily.
WATER Temperature 50–77°F (10–25°C); hard WATER Temperature 32–93°F (0–34°C); hard Red coloration is
(100–200 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5). (100–150 mg/l) and neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5). evident on the fins
TEMPERAMENT Active and social. TEMPERAMENT Social, and peaceful with other species.
Silver Rudd This is the natural color form, with a silvery
A Red Shiner’s tank should include lots of These cyprinids are active shoalers that should sheen. Rudd can be distinguished from Roach (Ratilius
swimming space, with planting restricted to the be kept in groups. They are often seen patrolling ratilius) by the pelvic fins, which are located in front of
back and sides. The water must be well filtered and the upper reaches of the pond. Rudd sometimes the dorsal fin, rather than level with it, as in Roach.
oxygenated. Reduce the temperature over winter nibble aquatic plants, but they prefer to feed on
to mimic the changes that occur in the wild. When invertebrates at the surface, often darting out
you raise the temperature again in spring, males from beneath water lilies to snatch insects.
will become more colorful, and females will swell The males develop swellings on the head when
with eggs. Spawning then occurs in the substrate. entering breeding condition. Females can lay
more than 100,000 eggs in
batches during spring and
Male developing
breeding coloration summer. Hatching may
take up to two weeks.
Gold Rudd This is a
domesticated variant
with a golden hue to
its body. This coloration
is especially evident on
the head and back.

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