The Asp is a European freshwater fish of the Cyprinid

Cyprinid

The family Cyprinidae, from the Ancient Greek kyprînos , consists of the carps, the true minnows, and their relatives . Commonly called the carp family or the minnow family, its members are also known as cyprinids...

 family. It is protected by the Bern Convention

Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention , came into force on June 1, 1982....

 of endangered species and habitats (Appendix III). Asps are also on the IUCN Red List

IUCN Red List

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...

 of endangered species.

Normally asps are between 10 to 80 centimeters in length, with some reaching 120 centimeters, and weighing up to 12 kg. It inhabits lakes and lower reaches of rivers and estuaries. In spring, in April-June, the asps migrates from lakes to streams for spawning

Spawn (biology)

Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...

. Spawning is triggered by the raise in temperature and usually starts at 6°C. The eggs attach to rocks, gravel and water plants. After around two weeks they hatch and the fry

Spawn (biology)

Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...

 drifts down stream to calmer waters.

Asps can be found in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Belgium. In Switzerland asps have immigrated through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal

Rhine-Main-Danube Canal

The Rhine–Main–Danube Canal , located in Bavaria, Germany, connects the Main and the Danube rivers across the European Watershed, running from Bamberg via Nuremberg to Kelheim...

. And in Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and so on. In the Eastern regions of Europe it is a common species of the flowing waters, very nice target for fly fishing and other types of predatory fishing too.
Another species of asp (Aspius vorax) are found in abundance in the lakes and canals in what is now known as Camp Victory Base Complex near the Baghdad International Airport. It is believed that the Asp is not native to this region but was imported to improve sport fishing opportunities for the pre-war ruling political party.