# Tench (*Tinca tinca*) The Tench is a smooth, greenish fish that enjoys hiding in the mud. It's a peaceful fish that swims slowly! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds and lakes - **Also known as:** Tench Carp, Tench Fish ![Tench](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/0209c31e7320708fd7c01c29f9b0a306cdce57beec810dbd7b71af76fc2a1260/image-560x560/w-560.webp) ## Appearance The Tench has a thick, olive-green to golden-brown body with very small, smooth scales. It has distinct bright red-orange eyes and a small barbel at each corner of its mouth, setting it apart from many other freshwater fish. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Cypriniformes - **Family:** Cyprinidae - **Genus:** Tinca ## Interesting facts - Female tench can lay hundreds of thousands of tiny green eggs in just one go! - Its bright red eyes glow, helping it spot food in the darkest, murkiest waters. - Tench are sometimes called 'doctor fish' because other fish rub against their slime! - Unlike most fish, tench can breathe air for a short time if caught out of water! ## Special abilities - **Slime Coat Defense:** Tench has a thick mucus layer that helps them resist disease and parasites. - **Mud Snout Sensor:** Tench can find food in murky water using sensitive barbels near its mouth like tiny feelers. - **Tough Breath Holder:** Tench can survive in water with low oxygen because of its unique blood and gill structure. - **Camouflage Chameleon:** Tench can slightly change its skin color to better blend into the muddy lake bottom. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 20-70 cm - **Weight:** 1-7.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Tench are bottom-feeding omnivores that snack on tiny creatures and plants found in the mud. - **Primary Foods:** Insect larvae, Small crustaceans, Snails, Worms, Aquatic plants, Detritus - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — A large fish predator. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — Hunts fish in freshwater. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Wades to catch fish. - **Eats:** Bloodworm (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Feeds on mud-dwelling larvae. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Tench? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Tench? 20-70 cm ### How much does Tench weigh? 1-7.5 kg ### How long does Tench live? 10-20 years ### What does Tench eat? Tench are bottom-feeding omnivores that snack on tiny creatures and plants found in the mud. ### How fast can Tench swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Tench usually found? Ponds and lakes ### How does Tench hunt? Foraging ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Tench: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tench)