Prussian carp
Encyclopedia
The Prussian carp, silver Prussian carp or Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio, sometimes Carassius gibelio gibelio and, before 2003, Carassius auratus gibelio), is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish, such as the common carp
, and the smaller minnow
s. It is a medium-sized cyprinid, and does not exceed a weight of 6.6 pounds (3 kg) and a size of 45 cm. They are usually silver, although other color variations exist. They are omnivorous and feed on plankton, invertebrates, plant material and detritus. Originally from Asia (Siberia), they have been introduced to and are now inhabit lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe and Asia.
Although some sources claim that crucian carp
(Carassius carassius) are the wild version of the goldfish
(Carassius auratus), recent research has found that the wild form of the goldfish is actually the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio, or sometimes C. auratus gibelio, with gibelio identified as a subspecies of C. auratus). While they are certainly closely related, and often confused, they are different species, and can be identified by the following characteristics:
Goldfish
were originally developed from domesticated Prussian carp in China over 1,000 years ago, when they were bred for color for display in ornamental ponds and watergardens.
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
, and the smaller minnow
Minnow
Minnow is a general term used to refer to small freshwater and saltwater fish, especially those used as bait fish or for fishing bait. More specifically, it refers to small freshwater fish of the carp family.-True minnows:...
s. It is a medium-sized cyprinid, and does not exceed a weight of 6.6 pounds (3 kg) and a size of 45 cm. They are usually silver, although other color variations exist. They are omnivorous and feed on plankton, invertebrates, plant material and detritus. Originally from Asia (Siberia), they have been introduced to and are now inhabit lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe and Asia.
Goldfish
Crucian carp
The crucian carp 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...
(Carassius carassius) are the wild version of the goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
(Carassius auratus), recent research has found that the wild form of the goldfish is actually the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio, or sometimes C. auratus gibelio, with gibelio identified as a subspecies of C. auratus). While they are certainly closely related, and often confused, they are different species, and can be identified by the following characteristics:
- C. auratus has a more pointed snout, while the snout of C. carassius is well rounded.
- The wild form of the goldfish (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 fish have fewer than 31 scales along the lateral line, while crucian carp have 33 scales or more.
- C. carassius has 28 to 29 fine denticles on the posterior edge of the last unbranched spiny ray of the dorsal fin, while C. auratus has 10 to 11 irregular denticles.
Goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
were originally developed from domesticated Prussian carp in China over 1,000 years ago, when they were bred for color for display in ornamental ponds and watergardens.