Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Crucian Carp
Carassius carassius
Also called Crucian, Karas (Polish: karaś), Golden crucian
From Native to northern and central Europe and western Asia, from eastern England across to Siberia, north to the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia and south to central France and the Black Sea.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, deep-bodied cyprinid
A rounded, bronze fish with a well-rounded snout and a convex, gently curved dorsal fin. Body shape changes with surroundings: fish in waters with predators grow tall and deep, while those in predator-free ponds stay slimmer.1
Personality what they are like
A quiet, peaceful fish that spends much of its time foraging among plants and on the bottom.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Calm and steady. It feeds through the day but is busiest at night, and in winter it may burrow into soft mud and rest.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Very undemanding. It is a cool-water fish (about 2 to 22 C) that tolerates cold and low oxygen well. A planted pond with soft mud suits it best.21
Home where they are happiest
Shallow, well-vegetated ponds, lakes and slow rivers. It is occasionally kept in aquariums and water gardens, but a planted pond is its natural home.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
An omnivore eating plankton, bottom-living invertebrates, plants and detritus. In a pond it takes general pond-fish food.2
Company who they like around
Lives in groups and shares a pond peacefully with other calm fish.12
The story where it all began
The crucian carp is a native European fish, named by Linnaeus in 1758 and long valued by anglers and cooks in Poland and Russia. It is now less common in the ornamental trade than koi or orfe, but pond keepers value it as a hardy, natural member of a wildlife pond.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It can survive months without oxygen under winter ice by turning its stored energy into alcohol, which it releases into the water. One study kept fish in oxygen-free water for 140 days.1
- 2
When predators are around, crucians grow a deeper body that is harder to swallow.1
- 3
Young crucians carry a dark spot at the base of the tail that fades with age.1
- 4
A female can lay 130,000 to 250,000 sticky eggs that cling to water plants and hatch in 4 to 8 days.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern2
- Linnaeus
- Described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758; the type species of the genus Carassius1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Crucian Carp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingOnly in the warm seasonevery day
- Pond checkevery day
- Water testevery 2 weeks
- Filter cleanevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Crucian Carp?
Feed your Crucian Carp once a day during the warm season. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding only in warm months, as they rest in winter and may not need food. Furry Diary plan
What does a Crucian Carp eat, and what should it never eat?
They are omnivores and enjoy plankton, bottom-living invertebrates, plants, and detritus, plus general pond-fish food. There is no specific list of foods to avoid in the facts; ask your vet or a good breeder for safe options.2
How much space does a Crucian Carp need?
Crucian carp need a spacious, well-vegetated pond or a large aquarium. Exact space varies with the setup, so consult a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the right size.21
What temperature, light or water does a Crucian Carp need?
They thrive in cool water between 2 and 22°C and tolerate low oxygen well. A planted pond with soft mud and natural light suits them best.21
How often should I clean a Crucian Carp's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan recommends a daily pond check, water testing every two weeks, and filter cleaning once a month. Adjust based on your setup and ask your vet. Furry Diary plan
Can a Crucian Carp live with others?
Yes, they are peaceful and live happily in groups with other calm fish. They enjoy company and share a pond well.21
How long does a Crucian Carp live?
With good care, a Crucian Carp can live up to 10 years.2
Can I handle a Crucian Carp?
Handling is not recommended as it can stress the fish. If you need to move them, use a soft net and ask your vet for the best approach.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Crucian carp en.wikipedia.orgused for range, body, colours, size, records, anoxia tolerance, history, pond role, fun facts
- FishBase: Carassius carassius fishbase.seused for max length and weight, max age, temperature, diet, habitat, spawning, IUCN status
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.