Roaching the subject

The roach might not be a tasty catch, but this sound and sociable shoal fish is so adaptable it can thrive in all manner of less than desirable waterways

- David Profumo

SOME of our native fish enjoy splendid binomial appellations—the perch (Perca fluviatilis), the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) and, chiefly for his scarlet fins, the roach, Rutilus rutilus. A cheery little shoal fish from the mighty carp tribe (16 of our 55-odd freshwater species are cyprinids), it is widespread across Europe. The fossil records date back 25 million years, discovered, aptly, in Germany at a place called Rott.

The roach's deep body shape has a gently curved, dark-greenish back and flanks covered with large, nicely imbricated silvery scales. The dorsal fin is proud and browner than the bright anals and pectorals. There is a large eye, the iris punctuated by a red spot beside its pupil. The mouth has a telescopic upper lip and is toothless—the pharyngeal teeth in its throat are for crushing, not biting. A lustrous school of small roach finning between weeds look as innocent as a troupe of choristers processing across a cathedral sward.