The Common Roach is a genus of the Cyprinidae family. It is widespread in fresh and brackish water bodies in Europe and Northern Asia. It lives in Siberian rivers and lakes, in the basins of the Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea. There are numerous subspecies of roach, differing in their life cycle, among which there are non-migrating forms (common roach and Rutilus rutilus lacustris, known in Russia as Siberian roach) as well as semi-diadromous ones (e.g. taran and vobla). Common roach occurs in small rivers and brooks as well as in big rivers, lakes and reservoirs. It prefers warm and quiet water bodies with sandy bottoms and aquatic plants. Common roach lives in small shoals. It feeds mainly on algae, green plants, insect larvae, mollusks and other invertebrates. Large roach may feed on larvae and tadpoles. Roach’s body is elongated and moderately flattened along flanks. Its grayish black dorsal surface shimmers with blue and green tinge, the rest of the body is silvery white. The scales are big and tightly embedded. Dorsal and caudal fins are greenish gray with shade of red, pelvic and anal fins are red. Roach can be recognized by its eyes as there is a characteristic red spot in the upper part of its iris. Its pharyngeal teeth form one row. Common roach reaches the length of 30 cm.