Golden Rudd

Looks how to spot one

Deep-bodied, scaled fish (ornamental colour form)

Shaped like the wild rudd, with a tall, flattened body, keeled belly and upturned mouth, but bred for a reddish-gold body that shows up well from above in a pond.32

Personality what they are like

Peaceful and active, moving around in groups near the surface, though it can be a little skittish.32

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Active swimmer of the upper water layers, most lively from spring to early autumn and around dawn and dusk. It is quick to dart away when startled.32

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Keep a small group in a planted ornamental pond with open surface water. Some countries restrict stocking rudd, so check local rules.32

Home where they are happiest

Clear, still or slow water with lots of plants, such as a well-planted pond. FishBase gives 2 to 22 °C and pH 7.0 to 7.5; it tolerates a wide range of conditions.123

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Young fish eat zooplankton and insects; adults eat mainly algae and water plants, plus insects that fall on the surface.231

Company who they like around

A shoaling fish, so it is happiest kept in a group.3

The story where it all began

The golden rudd is a cultivated, reddish-gold form of the wild European rudd. It was developed for decorative ponds, where its colour makes the fish easy to enjoy from the bank.32

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Wild species Scardinius erythrophthalmus assessed as Least Concern (2022)1