Asp
D-Rapfen, Schied; GB-Asp; DK-Asp; PL-Boleń, chwat, rap; LT-Salatis; LV-Salate; EST-Tõugjas; RU-Жерех; FIN-Toutain; S-Asp
Characters
1) Long mouth opening reaches beyond front margin of eye.
2) Lower jaw posseses a hook, which fits in a cavity in the upper jaw.
3) Dorsal and anal fins sickle-like.
●) Elongated, strong body.
Often 50 to 70 cm, max. 120 cm length and 12 kg weight.
Similar species
Chub - mouth shorter; larger scales, 44 to 46 in lateral line (vs. 64 to 76 in asp); anal fin margin curved outwards.
Atlantic salmon - with adipose fin.
Sea trout - with adipose fin.
Pink salmon - with adipose fin.
Biology
Diurnal predator, orientated at the surface; solitary or in small troops. Spawns in spring over gravvel ground with strong current.Diet
Feeds mainly on surface orientated fish, like bleak; beside frogs, mice and small water birds. Young individuals up to 20 cm feed on small invertebrates.Importance
Popular in angling, otherwise of rather little commercial importance.Endangerment
Endangered overall due to missing spawning areas because of river damming.Aspius aspius
