Crucian carp

(Zoöl.) A kind of European carp (Carasius vulgaris), inferior to the common carp; -- called also German carp.

Note: The gibel or Prussian carp is now generally considered a variety of the crucian carp, or perhaps a hybrid between it and the common carp.

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Carassius auratus

FAMILY

Cyprinidae

TAXONOMY

Cyprinus auratus Linnaeus, 1758, China, Japanese rivers.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

English: Goldfish, golden carp.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Size small to moderate, normally 5.12–7.48 in (13–19 cm) in standard length. Body deep and stout, moderately compressed. Snout pointed. Mouth terminate, oblique. Barbels absent. Pharyngeal teeth in one row. Gill rakers 37–43. Dorsal fin long, 4 spines, 15–19 rays. Anal fin short, 3 spines, 5 rays. Back of last dorsal and anal spines serrated. Lateral line complete, with 27–30 scales. Wild forms are usually olive-green in the back, gray-white on belly.

There are many aquarium varieties in different forms and colors. These can be divided into four types: (1) Grass type: primitive with slender body, pointed head, small eyes, and single or double tails; (2) Fancy type, with double tails and all fins very long; (3) Dragon or Eye type, with large eyes that protrude out; (4) Egg-shaped type, with the dorsal fin absent.

DISTRIBUTION

Native to Asia. The wild type has been introduced to Europe and North America. Aquarium varieties have been introduced all over the world.

HABITAT

Shallow, warm waters with dense vegetation such as lakes, reservoirs, and streams. Adults are generally found near the bottom, but they sometimes appear in schools at the surface.

BEHAVIOR

The social behavior of crucian carp is similar to that of the common carp, but under some conditions it can attain a greater population density.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Omnivorous, consuming a variety of larvae and aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic worms, and aquatic vegetation.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

The crucian carp matures after the body length reaches 3.54 in (9 cm) in the first or second year. Spawning occurs in spring when the water temperature reaches 60.08°F (15.6°C) and heavy rains occur. The eggs are released in batches, and are usually attached to aquatic plants and other fixed objects. The male fertilizes the eggs immediately. The incubation may take 4 days at 62.6–66.2°F (17–19°C). After hatching, the larvae cling to plants or remain quietly on the bottom, but after 1–2 days they become free-swimming. Fecundity varies from 12,000 to 28,000 eggs per individual.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not listed by the IUCN. Due to artificial hybridization and transplantation, local types have been seriously damaged.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

An important food fish, although its production is much less than that of the common carp. Its greatest value is as an aquarium fish.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: European carp closely resembling wild goldfish
  Synonyms: Carassius carassius, Carassius vulgaris

Crucian Carp
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae Genus: Carassius Species: C. carassius
Binomial name
Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish such as the common carp, or the smaller minnows. They inhabit lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe and Asia. The crucian is a medium-sized cyprinid, which rarely exceeds a weight of over 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg). They usually have a dark green back, golden sides, and reddish fins, although other colour variations exist. It is known for its ability to survive without oxygen (up to 5.5 months in winter).

They are often caught as a sport fish: the British rod-caught record for largest crucian is four pounds, nine ounces, caught by Martin Bowler in a lake in southern England in 2003. There have been various bids for a breakage of this record since, but they have been passed off as the specimens have not been said to have been "true" crucians, but hybrids between the carp and one of its relatives, such as the goldfish, which are not native to the British Isles. These hybrids often exhibit hybrid vigour or heterosis, being much more adept at finding food and evading predators than either of their parents, and thus pose somewhat of a threat to the native carp population, and to other native aquatic animals.

These carp are also occasionally kept as freshwater aquarium fish, as well as in water gardens, although they are not commonly available commercially, mainly because they are not in particularly high demand due to the presence of more colourful fish such as the koi or orfe. However, they are one of the most important aquaculture species. In 2005 they were the species with the 10th highest production, globally (FAO 2005).

The shape of a Crucian carp can be very high. The fish get an almost perfect disc shape with well rounded fins. If no predators like pike or perch are present, the Crucian carp will grow in length rather than height and the fish will be more slender looking. The growth in height will make it difficult for predators to swallow the crucian carp.^[1]

Many sources will claim that crucian carp are the wild version of the goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus). The wild form of the goldfish is however Carassius auratus gibelio, or rather Carassius gibelio with auratus as the subspecies.^{[citation needed]} While they are certainly closely related, they are different species which can be identified by the following characteristics:

• C. auratus has a more pointed snout while the snout of a crucian carp is well rounded.
• The wild form of the Goldfish C. auratus gibelio or C. gibelio often has a grey/greenish color, while crucian carps are always golden bronze.
• Juvenile crucian carp (and tench) have a black spot on the base of the tail which disappears with age. In C. auratus this tail spot is never present.
• C. auratus have fewer than 31 scales along the lateral line while crucian carp have 33 scales or more.

Pictures

Young crucian carp from the Netherlands identifiable by the black tail spot which disappears with age

The typical well rounded head shape of the crucian carp.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Crucian carp

• World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1996). Carassius carassius. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
• Fact sheet, taxonomic details, distribution maps, slideshow, and images of Carassius carassius at ZipcodeZoo.com.
• Carassius carassius (TSN 163352). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 6 February 2006.
• Fish Holds Breath for Months
• How carp 'hold their breath' through winter - New Scientist

FAO 2005 - FAO Fishstats.

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