1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Roach

ROACH (Leuciscus rutilus), a small fish belonging to the Cyprinid family, the genus Leuciscus having many representatives in Europe, in which the rudd, the chub and the dace are included. It may attain a length of over 12 in., but a roach of 2 ℔ is an unusually large one. It is good sport for anglers, but is not esteemed for the table. The general colour is silvery, with reddish fins. It does not occur in Ireland. In America, the “ golden shiner ” minnow (Abramis chrysoleucus) is sometimes called a roach.

See Greville Fennell's Book of the Roach, 1870.