Rotan is a fish of the perciform order. Its body does not exceed 25 cm in length. Rotan is found in the rivers of Primorye and in the Amur basin, but several decades ago it was brought into many water bodies, where in a short time it became the main inhabitant.
Rotan is a small fish, often called a firebrand. Its color is dark, from brown to almost black. Brown spots are clearly visible on the abdomen and sides. Rotan is also distinguished by two separate dorsal fins. The closest relative of this species is the southern goby. The mouth of the rotan is large, it is directed upwards, the
lower jaw protrudes slightly noticeably. The ventral fins are separate. During spawning, males become almost black. Probably, for this reason and, perhaps, for low mobility they call rotan a firebrake.
This fish prefers to stay in the flooded bushes, in small snags, on the shallows. She feeds mainly on animal food. Rotan is the fish that most prefers the eggs of fry, so it very quickly minimizes the number of other species in the pond. Very often, where this species settles, after a year or two other fish no longer remain. Rotan breeds only in the summer, females lay their eggs on the lower part of the leaves of aquatic plants. Most often, spawning occurs in thickets of nests, egg capsules and water lilies. The number of eggs in one such clutch is about 10 thousand. Rotan is a very tenacious fish. It can survive even where other species, including crucian carp and tench, die.
Today, rotan is an inhabitant of almost all reservoirs of Russia with the exception of the Crimean peninsula. But it is possible that he will soon appear in these places. It is noted that in those reservoirs where perch and pike are active, rotan fails to take a leading position. These species do not allow him to multiply and eat caviar of peaceful fish. But in ponds and lakes, where one crucian carp inhabits, rotan is very quickly mastered and becomes the master of the situation. Most often, this voracious fish is the only inhabitant of small reservoirs with very harsh living conditions. These are stagnant quarries covered with mud, overgrown ponds. Rotan is capable of worse than crucian carp to endure a critical lack of oxygen and complete freezing of the reservoir in winter.
Rotan is a fish, fishing of which can bring a lot of pleasure. The largest individuals are kept under the cover of duckweed or under the wide leaves of a water lily. This behavior is completely unusual for gobies. With severe overgrowing of the reservoir, they look for glades or windows among aquatic vegetation. Such places can be made artificially, even using a regular shelf. Rotans are not at all timid. To a place free of vegetation, they come together very quickly, they are not confused by the presence of a person. Another interesting feature was noticed. Rotan is very fond of the red and white float. The reasons for this are not clear. But the fishermen noticed that it was he who attracted the attention of a nimble fish.
Here is such an interesting rattan fish. A photo of her can be seen in this article. This fish has an individuality and is undeservedly not popular with professional fishers.