Description
The Bitterling is a small freshwater fish which seldom reaches over 3" long and only lives for 3-5 years.
Rhodeus sericeus is hump-backed in shape and laterally compressed. The male is larger than the female and changes colours in the spawning season.
It is, although small, a very pretty fish and are often kept in aquariums.They have a bluey green stripe horizontally at the top of each flank turning to a shimmering bluey silver to it's base. During the spawning season the fins become tinged with red and black, the flanks become a salmon pink and their backs turn blue.
Habitat
They are present in canals and rivers and particularly like a silty bottom where they search for tiny bite size morsals. Naturally because of their size Rhodeus sericeus will only take small baits such as pinkies, squatts and bloodworm.
They tend not to be used as baits for prey fish since as the name suggests there flesh is said to have a bittery taste.
If you would like to first and only so far submit a picture of your latest bitterling
catch Click this link
