Read the article with FishingTheSpot: the crucian carp
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See the fishing tripsThe Crucian Carp
Spring to fall
30 cm
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The Crucian Carp belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Its average size is 45 cm for 3 kg. It can live up to 15 years. It breeds from Mai to June. The female lays up to 300,000 oocytes. It can be fished from spring to fall.
The Crucian carp is ovoid, stocky and laterally compressed. The protruding back gives it a high body. The most common specimens have an average size of 15 cm and a weight of about 250 g, but they can reach more than 50 cm and a weight of 4 kg. The head, small and conical, has no barbels. The pectoral and ventral fins and the anus are slightly rounded and have a reddish colour. The dorsal fin is characterized by a convex line. Finally, the caudal is slightly indented, and has 20 soft rays. Large scales cover the body and 31 to 36 scales run along the lateral line. Overall, it is greenish in color, dark on the back, with golden reflections on the sides and lighter on the belly. A black spot at the base of the caudal fin characterizes juveniles of this species. This stain disappears with age.
The Crucian Carp lifestyle
The Crucian Carp are omnivorous: they consume plants, various detritus, as well as small benthic invertebrates.
Adults reach sexual maturity after 2 to 3 years for males and 3 to 4 years for females, which is equivalent to about ten centimeters for a weight of about 100 g. They reproduce from May to June, when the water temperature is around 16°C. Sexual dimorphisms is then visible in males with "bridal tubers" on their heads. They reproduce several times during the same year and there are many spawning. It take place in areas rich in plants on which the female deposits viscous and adherent oocytes, from 1.2 to 1.7 mm. Several males will then come to fertilize them. This character is called "phytophile". A female can lay between 100,000 and 250,000 eggs per breeding season. Incubation is rapid: in less than a week, the fry hatches. It then measures 5 mm. Growth varies according to the environment and species.
The Crucian Carp habitat
It is mainly found in lakes, ponds, dead branches and stagnant river water. It adapts remarkably well to its environment.
In general, the Crucian Carp prefer shallow, plant-rich habitats. It is a hardy species that resists very low oxygen levels, high temperatures (up to 30°C), frost, and polluted waters. It can also live in brackish waters and can therefore be observed in estuaries.
The Crucian Carp angling
In terms of season, it is fished at the same times as carp, so generally from late spring to fall, when the waters are warm.
If you want to fish for large pelts, there is no need to hesitate about the tastes, coolers and size of the bait. The Crucian carp is a fish that will not refuse to come looking for what it needs in rich, coarse-grained primers.
