Roach · Rutilus rutilus

Roach in the Roman River (Headwaters)

Largest measured roach: 18.4 cm

The largest roach measured in Environment Agency surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters) was 18.4 cm, recorded at Colchester Zoo on 6 March 2009.

Across 292 measured roach, the median measured length was 9.6 cm.

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the Roman River (Headwaters).

See roach records across England →

Most recent observation5 October 2025Colchester Zoo · 106 fish

Largest measured roach: 18.4 cm
Median length: 9.6 cm
Fish measured: 292
Survey locations: 3

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured roach

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

Length	Survey date	Survey location	Survey ID
18.4 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
17.3 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
16.6 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
16.5 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
16.3 cm	5 Feb 2015	Colchester Zoo	144595
16.2 cm	5 Feb 2015	Colchester Zoo	144595
16.1 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105
15.7 cm	5 Feb 2015	Colchester Zoo	144595
15.5 cm	5 Oct 2025	Colchester Zoo	179272
15.5 cm	6 Mar 2009	Colchester Zoo	117105

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where roach were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one roach record.

Choose a point on the map to see what was recorded there.

Map points are approximate and don’t show fishing access. Check local permissions before visiting.

Place surveyed	First recorded	Last recorded	Visits finding roach
Colchester Zoo	18 Mar 2003	5 Oct 2025	8
Swan Bridge	5 Feb 2015	5 Feb 2015	1
Aldham Hall	18 Feb 2009	18 Feb 2009	1

Choose a point or table row to see the location. More survey visits can mean more records, but not necessarily more fish.

2003–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded roach that year.

103

004

005

006

007

008

209

010

011

012

013

014

215

016

117

118

019

020

121

022

023

124

125

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 292 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest: 4.2 cm
Lower quarter: 8.9 cm
Median: 9.6 cm
Upper quarter: 11.9 cm
Largest: 18.4 cm

0–99 mm

181

100–199 mm

111

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

More fish in this river

Explore the Roman River (Headwaters)

Compare other species with enough survey and measurement data for a detailed page.

Stone loach European eel 3-spined stickleback Brown / sea trout Dace Minnow

Before you fish

Good to know

These are past survey records, so the fish present today may be different. Map points are approximate—check local access, permissions and fishing rules before visiting.

Learn how RiverFish uses the data →