Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)

Scientific name: Carassius carassius Linnaeus, 1758

The Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 2–22°C (36–72°F).

Crucian carp care at a glance

Temperature: 2–22°C (36–72°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3 - 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-22; Anal spines: 2 - 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 7; Vertebrae: 32. Diagnosed from its congeners in Europe by having the following characters: body golden-green shining color; last simple anal and dorsal rays weakly serrated; 23-33 gill rakers; lateral line with 31-36 scales; free edge of dorsal convex; anal fin usually with 6? branched rays; and peritoneum white. Caudal fin with 18-20 rays. No barbels. The third dorsal and anal-fin rays are strong and serrated posteriorly.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Carassius carassius
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 64.0
Common length: 15.0
Depth range: 5 m (16 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 5 - ? m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Eurasia: North, Baltic, White, Barents, Black and Caspian Sea basins; Aegean Sea basin only in Maritza drainage; eastward to Kolyma drainage (Siberia); westward to Rhine and eastern drainages of England. Absent from North Sea basin in Sweden and Norway. In Baltic basin north to about 66?N. Widely introduced to Italy, England and France but possibly often confused with Carassius gibelio. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial; bait: occasionally
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2)