Crucian carp
Encyclopedia
The crucian carp is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish, such as the common carp
, or the smaller minnow
s. 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.
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. In the Netherlands, a typical crucian specimen of 54 cm, weighing 3 kg has been caught and photographed. 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 garden
s, 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.
The variation in shape of a crucian carp can be very high. The fish get an almost perfect disc shape with well-rounded fins. If no predators such as 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.
(Carassius auratus auratus), but the wild form of the goldfish is actually the Prussian carp
Carassius gibelio , or sometimes Carassius auratus gibelio with gibelio identified as a subspecies of C. auratus. While they are certainly closely related, they are different species which can be identified by the following characteristics:
. Despite being reputedly bony, the fish is easy to raise and relatively cheap, so are often deep fried as part of a worker's meal.
There are many extensive and luxurious preparations for this fish in Chinese cuisine. For example, it can be found in the Shanghainese
dish congshao jiyu (蔥燒鯽魚, lit. scallion-cooked crucian carp), which requires long hours for preparation since the fish needs to be soaked in vinegar, and then deep-fried, stewed for a long prolonged period, and cooled to make the fish tender enough to consume together with all its bones. Also, crucian carp is used to make soup with tofu, which the Chinese believe to benefit women in the postpartum period.
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...
, or 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. 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.
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
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....
, which are not native to the British Isles. In the Netherlands, a typical crucian specimen of 54 cm, weighing 3 kg has been caught and photographed. Hybrids often exhibit hybrid vigour or heterosis
Heterosis
Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement, is the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring. The adjective derived from heterosis is heterotic....
, 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 garden
Water garden
Water gardens, also known as aquatic gardens, are a type of man-made water feature. A water garden is defined as any interior or exterior landscape or architectural element whose primarily purpose is to house, display, or propagate a particular species or variety of aquatic plant...
s, 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
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
or orfe. However, they are one of the most important aquaculture species. In 2005, they were the species with the 10th highest production, globally.
The variation in shape of a crucian carp can be very high. The fish get an almost perfect disc shape with well-rounded fins. If no predators such as 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.
Relation to goldfish
Many sources will claim crucian carp are the wild form of the goldfishGoldfish
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 auratus), but the wild form of the goldfish is actually the Prussian carp
Prussian carp
The Prussian carp, silver Prussian carp or Gibel carp , is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish, such as the common carp, and the smaller minnows...
Carassius gibelio , or sometimes Carassius auratus gibelio with gibelio identified as a subspecies of C. auratus. 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 C. carassius 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.
Use
Although the crucian carp (鯽魚) can be raised as pets, it is also farmed and commonly used in Chinese cuisineChinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
. Despite being reputedly bony, the fish is easy to raise and relatively cheap, so are often deep fried as part of a worker's meal.
There are many extensive and luxurious preparations for this fish in Chinese cuisine. For example, it can be found in the Shanghainese
Shanghai cuisine
Shanghai cuisine , also known as Hu cai is a popular style of Chinese cuisine. The city of Shanghai itself does not have a separate and unique cuisine of its own, but modifies those of the surrounding provinces, is Jiangsu and Zhejiang coastal provinces. What can be called Shanghai cuisine is...
dish congshao jiyu (蔥燒鯽魚, lit. scallion-cooked crucian carp), which requires long hours for preparation since the fish needs to be soaked in vinegar, and then deep-fried, stewed for a long prolonged period, and cooled to make the fish tender enough to consume together with all its bones. Also, crucian carp is used to make soup with tofu, which the Chinese believe to benefit women in the postpartum period.