Wide range
Occurs throughout Eurasia from Western Europe to the Ob and Yenisei Rivers in Asia.
Tinca tinca
The tench (Tinca tinca) is a freshwater and brackish-water fish found throughout much of Eurasia, typically in slow-moving lakes and lowland rivers.
Last Updated Mar 9, 2026 · 3 sources
Species Guide
A clean field guide focused on habitat, identification, behavior, and conservation context without burying the useful parts.
The tench, also called the doctor fish (Tinca tinca), is a member of the order Cypriniformes. It occurs across Eurasia from Western Europe (including Britain and Ireland) east into Asia as far as the Ob and Yenisei rivers, and is found in Lake Baikal. It normally inhabits slow-moving freshwater habitats, particularly lakes and lowland rivers, and can occur in brackish waters.
Typically inhabits slow-moving freshwater habitats such as lakes and lowland rivers; can also occur in brackish waters.
The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Auckland + Hauraki Gulf and countries such as Germany, Netherlands, Poland for divers building trips around tenches.
Range and Movement
The broad range, seasonal movement, or migratory behavior that shapes where divers encounter this species.
Typically inhabits slow-moving freshwater habitats such as lakes and lowland rivers; can also occur in brackish waters.
Responsible Encounters
Conservation-minded guidance for divers who want the encounter without adding pressure.
Give tench space, avoid blocking the animal's path, and follow local site and operator rules for wildlife interactions with freshwater fishes.
Field Notes
Useful species context that makes the encounter more meaningful once you are underwater.
Occurs throughout Eurasia from Western Europe to the Ob and Yenisei Rivers in Asia.
The tench is reported from Lake Baikal.
Also known as the doctor fish.
Top Destinations
Destinations surfaced from the linked dive spots associated with this species.
Top Countries
The strongest country-level starting points currently linked to this species.
Top Dive Spots
Directly linked dive spots where this species already shows up in the planning data.
Voglstangsee is Mannheim's urban freshwater quarry lake.
Baggersee Remerschen is a relaxed beginner lake dive.
Barbora is a calm freshwater lake dive with training objects.
Deep freshwater dive lake in the Blue Lakes complex with night fish schools.
Bracciano is a shore-access freshwater training dive in volcanic silt.
Freshwater lake dive with underwater forest, fish, and access control.
FAQ
Clear planning and conservation answers written for search visibility and AI retrieval.
Research Sources
Primary and credible references behind the field-guide and conservation claims on this page.
Primary wildlife guide source.
Supporting wildlife source.
Taxonomy reference.
Related Species
Related species guides in the same encounter family.
