T - December 19, 2020

TENCH

Scientific Name:

Tinca tinca

Salt/Fresh:

Fresh

Also Known As:

Alia; Tinca; Zeelt; Suter; Lin; Curaman; TENCH; Doctor fish

Rating:

Countries:

Description:

Tench is a member of the Carp family that is sportfished for throughout the world however primarily in Europe.

How To Identify:

Tench have a stocky, carp-like shape, olive-green skin, darker above and almost golden below. The caudal fin is square in shape. The other fins are distinctly rounded in shape. The mouth is rather narrow and provided at each corner with a very small barbel. Maximum size is 70 cm, though most specimens are very much smaller. A record fish caught in 2001 in England had a weight of 15 lb 3 oz (6,89 kg). The eyes are small and red-orange in colour. Sexual dimorphism is weak, limited to the adult females having a more convex ventral profile when compared with males. Males may also possess a very thick and flattened outer ray to the ventral fins. Males are generally smaller than females but can be recognised by having more curved lower fins and noticeable muscles around the base of the fins generally absent in female.

How To Catch:

Light lines and finesse is often employed throughout Europe where they are a sought after sport fish. Although normally not that fussy as to what they eat, they can become tackle shy and hard to get to take a bait. Baits include aquatic insert larvae, worms, yabbies or snails.

Where Found:

Worldwide
Tench are found throughout Europe and Asia. However it has been introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand. They prefer muddy back water or ponds.
Australia
In Australia Tench are found in similar habits as the European Carp.

TENCH

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