Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758)

Freyhof, Jörg, Yoğurtçuoğlu, Baran, Jouladeh-Roudbar, Arash & Kaya, Cüneyt, 2025, Handbook of Freshwater Fishes of West Asia, De Gruyter : 159-160

Carassius carassius

Common name. Crucian carp.

Diagnosis. Distinguished from non-native species of Carassius in West Asia by: ○ flank golden-green / ● last simple anal and dorsal rays weakly serrated / ● 23–33 gill rakers / ● 31–36 total lateral-line scales / ● free edge of dorsal convex / ● usually 6½ branched anal rays / ● peritoneum whitish. Size up to 550 mm SL.

Distribution. Locally in lower Sakarya (Akgöl), where it might be native,and in the upper Aras drainage (Lake Çıldır), where it may be non-native. Native to North, Baltic, White, Barents, northern 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 C. auratus .

Habitat. Usually restricted to densely vegetated backwaters and oxbows of lowland rivers. Also, in small, well-vegetated lakes and channels. Tolerates high summer temperatures and very low oxygen concentrations in summer and under ice cover. Able to survive in almost completely frozen water or almost-dry habitats by burying itself in mud. Spawns in dense submerged vegetation.

Biology. Lives about 10 years. Males reproduce for the first time at 3 years, females at 4 years in central and eastern Europe, at 2 years in southern Europe. Spawns in May–July at temperatures above 18°C. Individual females spawn with several males. Males follow ripe females, often with much splashing. Females spawn 3–5 times during a season. Eggs are sticky and are attached to water plants. Omnivorous, feeds all day but mostly at night on plankton, benthic invertebrates, plant material, and detritus. Seems to be a weak competitor, usually absent from waters with rich ichthyofauna and abundant predatory species. Very abundant in the absence of other fish species. High-bodied, fast-growing individuals in habitats with predatory fish more elongate in habitats without predatory fish.

Conservation status. LC.

Further reading. Szczerbowski & Szczerbowski, in Bănărescu & Paepke, 2002 (biology).

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Carassius carassius