How do I tell Crucian carp and Prussian carp apart?

Comparison

Crucian carp vs Prussian carp: how to tell them apart

How to tell Crucian carp from Prussian carp, with features, size, habitat and baits side by side.

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Crucian carp, side view — Crucian carp *Carassius carassius*

Prussian carp, side view — Prussian carp *Carassius gibelio*

The quick difference

Crucian carp: Easily confused with the Prussian carp: the crucian carp has an outward-curved dorsal fin and usually 32 to 34 scales along the lateral line, the Prussian carp a straight or concave dorsal fin; in the Prussian carp the lining of the body cavity is almost black. The lack of barbels sets it apart from the common carp.

Prussian carp: Very similar to the crucian carp: the Prussian carp has a straight or concave dorsal fin, 27 to 33 scales along the lateral line and a dark body cavity lining, the crucian carp a convex dorsal fin and a pale lining. The lack of barbels sets it apart from the common carp.

Side by side

How to recognise it

Crucian carp

Deep, carp-like body without barbels
Dorsal fin curved outwards (convex), tail fin only slightly notched
Brownish back with a greenish sheen, fins often slightly reddish

Prussian carp

Deep body without barbels and with a silvery grey-green sheen
Dorsal fin straight or slightly curved inwards (concave)
Lining of the body cavity almost black (visible when gutting)

Size and age

Crucian carpup to 64 cm · 3.0 kg · 10 years

Prussian carpup to 46.6 cm · 4.8 kg · 10 years

Habitat

Crucian carpShallow, densely vegetated lakes, ponds and backwaters in the floodplains of large rivers; it avoids cold, fast-flowing waters. In muddy small waters it survives for several weeks almost without oxygen and even when the water freezes solid.

Prussian carpStill and slow-flowing waters that warm up in summer and are rich in nutrients, usually with water plants. It makes few demands on water quality and tolerates low oxygen and slightly salty water.

Spawning

Crucian carpMay and June; the eggs stick to water plants in shallow, densely vegetated water (general guide, varies by region)

Prussian carpNot exactly documented; spawns on water plants in shallow, warm shore areas (FishBase). Many populations consist only of females, which spawn together with other carp-like species.

Methods

Crucian carpFloat fishing, Feeder fishing, Ledgering (bottom fishing)

Prussian carpFloat fishing, Feeder fishing

Baits

Crucian carpMaggots, Sweetcorn, Worm, Paste, Small boilie

Prussian carpMaggots, Sweetcorn, Worm, Paste

On the table

Crucian carpValued as a pan fish in Poland; because it is highly endangered, only keep one deliberately and where allowed.

Prussian carpPale flesh with few bones, but bland.

Conservation status

Crucian carpGerman Red List (freshwater fish 2023): highly threatened, as already in 2009. IUCN: not threatened (Least Concern, 2023). Check the local rules before you go fishing.

Prussian carpGerman Red List (freshwater fish 2023): not assessed, as it is a non-native species. IUCN: not assessed (Not Evaluated, according to FishBase).

Sources (7)

Last checked 2026-10-23. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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