Kingdom Animalia Order Cypriniformes Genus Leuciscus Higher classification Leuciscus Found in Aral Sea | Phylum Chordata Family Cyprinidae Scientific name Leuciscus idus Rank Species | |
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Similar European chub, Asp, Common roach, Common rudd, Common bream | ||
The ide (Leuciscus idus), or orfe is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae found across northern Europe and Asia. It occurs in larger rivers, ponds, and lakes, typically in schools. The name is from Swedish id, originally referring to its bright color (compare the German dialect word aitel 'a kind of bright fish' and Old High German eit 'funeral pyre, fire').
The body has a typical cyprinid shape and generally silvery appearance, while the fins are a pinkish red in varying degrees. The tail and backfin can be greyish. In older and bigger fish the body color can turn to yellow/bronze. The ide reaches a maximum length of about 60–80 cm (24–31 in) though the average size is about 40 cm (16 in). The ide reaches a weight of about 9 pounds (4.1 kg).
Ides are predators, eating insects, crustaceans, molluscs, and small fish. In the spring, they move into rivers to spawn over gravel or vegetation; the eggs may be found sticking to stones or weeds in shallow water.
Introduction to New Zealand
Orfe eggs, derived from ornamental pond stocks, were illegally imported to New Zealand by mail sometime in the 1980s. Subsequent releases occurred between 1985–86 in at least eight and possibly five more sites north of Auckland. The current status of these populations is in doubt, and at least one release site remains unknown. It seems likely orfe persist in the wild in New Zealand. Whether they become a nuisance species in New Zealand or will be successfully eradicated remains to be seen.
