Biology

Inhabits vegetated and brushy stream margins and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers, and rocky and vegetated margins of lakes (Ref. 5723). Most commonly found in clear, silt-free rocky streams (Ref. 5723). An introduced species in Europe which avoids swift waters and occurs in a wide variety of slow-flowing to stagnant waters such as large rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and backwaters (Ref. 59043). Feeds on small crustaceans, insects and fish (Ref. 30578).