Crucian Carp
Crucian carp are from the carp family; they differentiate from the other carp in that they have no barbules and rarely weigh more than 1.5kg growing to a maximum length of 46cm. Their lifespan is 13-15years. They are dark brown across the back, golden on the sides with a yellow or white underside. The dorsal fin is convex in shape and its leading hard ray has around 30 small barbs.
The British record currently stands at 5lb 10oz by G. Halls from a water near King’s Lynn, Norfolk in 1978.
They can be found in ponds and lakes, and can survive in poor quality water with little oxygen, and even high levels of other gases that would normally kill other species.
The crucian is a bottom feeder as a rule, but on a sunny day can be found cruising the surface and feeding, though in the winter months they will hibernate virtually burying themselves in the mud. They mainly feed on aquatic plants and zooplankton. Their diet also consists of worms, caddis-fly larvae, freshwater shrimp, pond snail, daphnia, cyclops, pea mussel and fly larvae.
Favourite baits for the crucian carp are maggot, bread, bloodworm and luncheon meat. Sweetcorn, as with most carp, can also be a tasty treat. The pros suggest a light tackle fished on or just off the bottom or around surface plants tends to be productive.