Among the wide variety of freshwater inhabitants of the rivers and reservoirs of our country, a special place is occupied by crucian carp. This fish belongs to the carp family and is one of the most coveted trophies for fishing enthusiasts.
Where can you find goldfish?
The genus of ray-finned representatives of the river fauna of the carp family is divided into two types: crucian carp and gold (or ordinary). The distribution area of the goldfish is very wide. Starting from European countries, the common carp habitat reaches the basin of the Russian Lena River. Silver carp originally had a haven in the Pacific Ocean, in the Siberian rivers and the river lower reaches of the Aral Sea. But due to unpretentiousness to natural river conditions, its habitat area has expanded significantly. Today, silver carp (you will see a photo in our article) is found in almost all fresh water bodies and rivers of the European part of the Russian Federation, the North Caucasus, the Urals and Siberia. Therefore, there is an opinion that soon the place of a goldfish, as the crucian carp is sometimes called, will takesilver carp.
Gold and silver carp: main differences
Already, many anglers and experts are witnessing the occurrence of hybrid species of this fish. Interbreeding occurs.
At first glance, both species have an outward resemblance. However, an experienced angler, looking closely, will point out a number of differences:
golden carp always has scales of yellow or golden hue; the color scheme depends on the habitat and may have a copper-red or bronze color;
- silver carp strictly corresponds to its species definition; sometimes the color of the scales can have a grayish or greenish-gray tint - it all depends on the place of distribution and underwater river algae;
- the scales of common crucian carp are somewhat smaller in size, but more in the number of scales; silver carp has less than 30 scales in the lateral line, while its golden counterpart boasts an abundant scaly coating of its lateral line;
- common carp has a more rounded head, in contrast to the pointed head of silver;
- young goldfish have a dark spot in front of the caudal fin that disappears with age; the silver brother cannot boast of this feature.
Silver carp: species description
This representative of the carp family has a length of no more than 45 cm, and the maximum known weight of a caught fish is 4.25 kg. Such a catch was recorded on the riverTurukhan in Siberia. This is considered the official record of Russia. However, the average fish (silver crucian) barely reaches one and a half kilograms. The life expectancy of this species is about 8-10 years.
When does silver carp become a sexually mature individual? Under favorable conditions, this occurs at the age of 2-3 years and when the body length reaches at least 20 cm. The fluctuating asymmetry of the goldfish remains stable and differs from the goldfish in a large number of gill rakers, color of the lateral line and abdomen, which confirms the adaptation of the species to various environmental conditions. habitat. This is an excellent indicator of the stability of the development of an individual.
Reproduction of offspring
The spawning of this valuable commercial fish is exactly the same in comparison with crucian carp. The only difference is the length of time. Spawning can last from late May to early August. A comfortable condition for the reproduction of offspring is considered to be a water temperature of at least 15º C. The fecundity of females can reach up to 400 thousand eggs. After the first spawning, re-spawning occurs two weeks later. Goldfish caviar has a sticky texture, thanks to which the eggs are attached to underwater vegetation at a depth of no more than half a meter.
Propagation method
The species population reproduces by gynogenesis. The bottom line is that the male's sperm does not merge with the female's egg. In the development of the embryo, only the egg of the female carp is involved.silver. The future offspring of river fish consists only of females. Therefore, among silver carp swimming in the rivers, males are very rare. When eggs are inseminated with sperm from related fish species, future offspring genetically inherit only the maternal code of goldfish.
The population of the species belongs to the category of white river fish, so crucian carp meat is dense, tasty and nutritious. No wonder crucian carp is very popular in artificial breeding along with carp. In terms of culinary preferences, crucian carp is not at all demanding. Zooplankton, phytoplankton, detritus, animal and plant remains are the main diet of the river dweller.
Habitat
Stagnation water is a favorite habitat for silver carp. Closed reservoirs, small lakes and ponds, swampy forest lakes, quiet river backwaters and peat quarries - this is the exact address of our hero. It is believed that tina is the main and favorite element of the crucian.
It is worth noting that crucian carp is a very tenacious fish. This is confirmed by its ability to adapt to drying up water bodies. Burrowing into the silt and falling into hibernation, crucian carp can be without water for a long time. As soon as the reservoir is filled with water, crucian carp again shows signs of life.
In the winter, the same thing happens. The fish freezes into ice and easily endures cold and frost. As soon as the heat comes, she comes to life again.
However, running water cannot be ruled out,which, unlike goldfish, is preferred by its silver counterpart.
Crucian fishing technique
The most popular object of fishing was and remains gold and silver carp. Float fishing is a classic way of fishing. Worm, bloodworm, bread crumb or dough, pearl barley, etc. are used as nozzles. Various oils are excellent for improving the aromatic properties: hemp, linseed, anise, sunflower. An individual bait is selected for each reservoir.
The red worm is especially popular with goldfish. The most catchy places are pits and underwater passages with abundant aquatic vegetation. Carp is perfectly caught both from the river bottom and from half the water. After spawning, fishing is especially productive. The bite of crucian carp is very fickle. The bite is also very vague and quiet. Premature or late cuts do not bring results. Beginner anglers should be aware that crucian bite is very slow, so prepared bait often remains intact.
There is a special technique for catching carp, both gold and silver. As soon as the float begins to tremble, and then slowly move to the side, it is necessary to strike. Usually, with a weak bite, the float lies on the surface of the water surface. This means that the moment of hooking has not yet come: the crucian “studies” and tastes the nozzle prepared for it. Only after a confident movement of the float should you cut. Great difficulties in removing crucian carp fromwater does not exist. The most important thing is the calm and smooth movements of the angler.
It is believed that the best time for a bite is the morning and evening hours when the weather is calm and stable. In addition to the classic way, there are other types of fishing.
Catching crucian with an elastic band
This fishing method is used in the spring. In April, when the water is freed from ice, the reservoirs become very transparent. Due to the transparency and lack of thickets, crucian carp are afraid to take the bait on a float rod. All fish stay away from the shore. The best way to catch will be "elastic band".
The design of the tackle is very simple. The load is tied to a small piece of rope, and then there is an aircraft modeling elastic band connected to a fishing line. Leashes with hooks are tied to the fishing lines. The load is launched on a boat or thrown from the shore to the optimal distance that allows you to stretch the rubber. An earthworm, bloodworm or dough is used as a nozzle.
Bottom fishing, or feeder
The method of catching is quite simple. A feeder with bait is thrown to a great depth with the help of spinning. It is very important that the casting location is constant. Then the fish gathers at the “table”, and then the bite begins. Thanks to this method, you can catch decent specimens of silver carp. Bloodworm, maggot, worm and various feed additives are used as bait.
Anthropogenic factors
The influence of anthropogenic factors on goldfish has nolast value. Although the adaptation of crucian carp to environmental conditions is quite painless, the human impact on the environment should also be taken into account. More and more rivers and reservoirs are becoming unusable due to human activity. Pollution of natural resources forces fish to migrate to cleaner places. Unfortunately, if this process continues, then after a while we may not see this river beauty at all. But you really want to sit on the shore with a fishing rod in good weather and catch your cherished crucian.
Crucian carp: river champions
Each angler keeps his own trophy statistics. However, official results on the weight of fish caught were also recorded. Top 10 record-breaking goldfish caught in various regions of Russia and Western Europe:
10. The official record of the International Sport Fishing Association (IGFA) is a 1.36 kg carp.
9. German national record - 1.41 kg.
8. National record of Ukraine - 1.80 kg.
7. National record of Latvia - 2, 10 kg.
6. Poland's official record is 2.20 kg.
5. The record of the Republic of Belarus is 2.75 kg.
4. In 1996, a silver carp weighing 2.9 kg was caught in the Dnieper River near Kyiv.
3. In a tributary of the Zeya River in Transbaikalia, local fishermen caught a silver trophy weighing 3 kg.
2. Silver carp weighing 3.20 kg was caught in the Ili River (Kazakhstan).
1. Official world record andThe first place belongs to the Russian Federation. Silver carp weighing 4 kilograms 250 grams was raised on the Turukhan River, the left tributary of the Yenisei, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Russia).
Here are such crucians if Mother Russia has!
