| Tench (Tinca
tinca) |
| |
Features: |
Tench
are easily recognised by their minute scales, which give them
an almost scale-less appearance. They have a dark olive or
blackish colour. The fins are rounded and the tail is almost
unforked. It is possible to distinguish the sexes based on
the shape of the pelvic fins on the underside of the body.
Male fish have very large spoon-shaped fins, while those of
the female are longer, more pointed and triangular in shape. |
| Spawning: |
Tench
spawn later in the year than most of the other Irish cyprindae
species and require temperatures of between 18 - 20 C to spawn.
Spawning therefore is normally restricted to late June and
July. Egg size is 1.3 - 1.4 mm. |
| Fecundity: |
Tench
produce 125,000 eggs/kg. |
| Longevity
(age): |
They
have a maximum life span of 12 to 15 years. |
| Diet: |
Tench
are a bottom feeding fish and the presence of a large trail
of small bubbles on the surface is often an indication of
tench feeding below. Food consists of insect larvae and molluscs. |
| Best
Angling Methods: |
Float
fishing and waggler floats; ledgering with bomb or swimfeeder. |
| |
Best
Baits: |
range
of continental groundbaits and additives. |
| |
Specimen
Weight: |
2.7
kg (6lbs) |
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To Main Species page |
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