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How to catch Albanian Roach

Pachychilon pictum (Heckel & Kner, 1858)

About Albanian Roach fishing

The Albanian roach is a small, stocky freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. It features a fusiform body adorned with numerous dark brown markings and a thick lower lip with a distinct median lobe. Endemic to the Western Balkans and introduced to parts of France and Italy, this species inhabits slow-moving river stretches, backwaters, side channels, and large oligotrophic lakes. It is a gregarious, benthopelagic fish that forms schools, feeding on periphyton, insect larvae, and small invertebrates. Spawning occurs over gravel or vegetation during the spring months.

  • Difficulty

    Medium

  • Average size

    12 cm

  • Habitat

    Freshwater

  • Season

    Spring, Summer, Autumn

Albanian Roach

Caudal Shape

Forked caudal fin shape typical of cyprinids.

Pelvic Fin Position

Pelvic-fin position is abdominal beneath the body.

Dark Lateral Stripe

Numerous dark brown marks forming a distinctive midlateral stripe.

Albanian Roach fishing facts

Characteristics

  • Typical size

    12 cm (max 18 cm SL )

  • Typical weight

    0.2 kg (max 0.1 kg )

  • Body shape

    Fusiform / Normal

  • Vulnerability score

    38.5

Best hours

  • Dawn

    First light

    Active

  • Morning

    After sunrise

    Peak

  • Midday

    High sun

    Active

  • Afternoon

    Late day

    Peak

  • Dusk

    Last light

    Active

  • Night

    After dark

    Low

When to fish for Albanian Roach

01
January
02
February
03
March
04
April
05
May
06
June
07
July
08
August
09
September
10 Now
October
11
November
12
December

How to catch Albanian Roach

Tips for catching Albanian Roach

Anglers targeting this small cyprinid should focus on slow-flowing river margins, shallow lake bays, and vegetated backwaters where schooling fish congregate. Light tackle is essential, utilizing sensitive float rigs or delicate pole presentations positioned close to the bottom or near submerged aquatic vegetation. Presentation should mimic natural food sources by offering fine baits such as small worms, maggots, or bread paste. Late spring and summer offer the most consistent sport during daylight hours, particularly when water temperatures remain stable and the fish actively graze along marginal weed beds.

Other names for Albanian Roach

Local and alternate names anglers use for Albanian Roach.

  • Albanian Roach

Best equipment to catch Albanian Roach

Compare fishing methods for Albanian Roach — sized kit for each technique.

Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.

Best lures and baits for Albanian Roach

Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.

Where Albanian Roach spends the year — Non-migratory

Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.

Where Albanian Roach spends the year — Non-migratory 1. Eggs: Laid on the home grounds. 2. Juveniles: Grow up close by. 3. Adults: Keep to a small home range. 4. Spawners: Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Same water all year

1 Eggs

Same water all year

Laid on the home grounds.

2 Juveniles

Same water all year

Grow up close by.

3 Adults

Same water all year

Keep to a small home range.

4 Spawners

Same water all year

Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.

Hover or tap a number to read each stage.

Diet and behavior of Albanian Roach

  • Diet

    Omnivore

  • Feeds by

    Grazes plants

  • Hunts

    Morning · Afternoon

Where Albanian Roach lives

Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.

Habitats
Freshwater
Depth zone
Depth not recorded
Water column
Benthopelagic
Just above the bed

Where this species lives