Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758)

Freyhof, JÖrg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 423-424

Tinca tinca

Common name. Tench.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from species of Cyprinidae in West Asia by: ○ golden greenish brown body / ○ orange or red iris / ○ one pair of barbels (maxillary) / ○ 96–115 total lateral-line scales, small and deeply embedded / ○ 6–9½ branched anal rays / ○ 8–9½ branched dorsal rays. Size up to 600 mm SL.

Distribution. Centuries of stocking in West Asia and Europe have blurred the original distribution pattern. In West Asia, thought to be native to Black and Caspian Sea basins. Now widely introduced in Anatolia. Presumed native to most of Europe, naturally absent only in Ireland, Scandinavia north of 61°30’N, eastern Adriatic basin, and western and southern Greece, where it is now introduced. In northern Asia, native east to Yenisei drainage south of 60°N. Introduced in North and South Africa, Tasmania, Australia, New Zealand, India, North America, Chile, and probably elsewhere.

Open Access.© 2025 JÖrg Freyhof,Baran Yoğurtçuoğlu,Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar and Cüneyt Kaya,published by De Gruyter. the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

https://doi. org/10.1515/9783111677811-018

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Habitat. Typically, in shallow, densely vegetated lakes and backwaters, but introduced often to all kinds of lakes and reservoirs. Often overwinters buried in mud. Spawns in still water among dense vegetation.

Biology. Lives up to 20 years. First spawns at 2–6 years and 70–250 mm SL, females usually a year later than males. Pelvic rays more robust, longer, and extending beyond anus in males. Spawns May–October in Central Europe, usually June–July, at temperatures above 19°C, usually 22–24°C. Several males follow a female who lays eggs in several parts above vegetation. Females may spawn 1–9 times a year, every 11–15 days, if weather is warm enough. High embryo mortality has been observed when temperatures fluctuate greatly. Larvae and juveniles restricted to dense vegetation. Tolerant of low oxygen and salinity up to 12 ‰. Feeds on detritus, benthic animals, and plant material. Adults often feed mainly on molluscs.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Bogutskaya 1986, 1988b (osteology, phylogeny); Brylińska et al. 1999a, b (biology); Kottelat & Freyhof 2007 (summary of distribution and biology).

Tinca tinca inhabits mostly stagnant and densely vegetated waterbodies and occasionally establishes in such waters outside its native range (Lake GÖlhisar, Türkiye).