Amur Carp
Cyprinus rubrofuscus
Prussian Carp
Carassius gibelio
About
The Prussian carp is a tough, deep-bodied fish that has spread far beyond its home waters in Siberia and central Europe. It now lives in still and slow-moving water across Europe, North America and Asia, and it often becomes one of the most common fish wherever it turns up.
Also known as: silver prussian carp, gibel carp
How to tell it apart
The Prussian carp is easily mistaken for the closely related crucian carp. Look at the tail: the Prussian carp's tail fin is cut more deeply, while the crucian carp's tail is only slightly notched.
Appearance
This is a deep-bodied, robust fish, usually silver in colour and sometimes with a faint golden sheen. Its tail fin is noticeably forked. It stays a medium size and does not grow into a large, heavy fish.
Did you know?
Many Prussian carp populations are made up almost entirely of females. These fish can trigger their eggs to develop using sperm from other carp species without actually using its genetic material, a trick called gynogenesis.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
