Tench are edible, working well in recipes that would otherwise call for carp, but are rarely eaten these days. ... Tench, particularly golden tench, are also kept as ornamental fish in ponds as they are bottom feeders that help to keep the waterways clean and healthy.

What does a Tench eat?

Habitat and diet

To find food, the tench uses short sensory organs that protrude from each side of its mouth, called barbels, to search the river or lake bottom for snails, mosquito larvae, and other small creatures. Tench also eat detritus, algae, and plant matter.

Can you put Tench in a fish tank?

Tench are wonderful aquarium fishes that can be kept successfully even by beginners. Because these fishes can also attain 15-20 cm in the aquarium, the tank should be of an appropriate size. Tench are totally undemanding as far as waterchemistry is concerned.