Author: (Bonaparte, 1841)
Comments: Found in canals, swamps, lakes and streams with slow current and dense vegetation (Ref. 59043).  Prefers to inhabit lakes and still waters of rivers; does not thrive in moderately to fast flowing rivers (Ref. 96829). Lives in groups.  Omnivorous, feeding mainly on insect larvae, other invertebrates, algae and  aquatic  macrophytes.  Spawns in small groups composed of one female and several males.  Deposits eggs on aquatic vegetation (Ref. 59043). Age at first maturity is 1+ or 2+ for males and 2+ for females; maximum age observed is 7+ years (Ref. 96829).  Abundant, but locally declining due to the introduction of <i>Carassius gibelio</i>, <i>Ctenopharyngodon idella</i> and <i>Silurus glanis</i> ( in lakes).  There are introduced populations locally responsible for extirpation of <i>Rutilus rubilio</i> (Ref. 59043).