Grass carp

D-Graskarpfen; GB-Grass carp; DK-Græskarpe; PL-Amur biały; LT-Baltais amūrs; LV-Baltasis amūras; EST-Valgeamuur; RU-Белый амур; FIN-Ruohokarppi; S-Gräskarp

Characters

1) Mouth opening wide and slightly inferior.
2) Upper edge of dorsal fin curved outwards.
3) Outer edge of anal fin rather straight.
●) Body elongated and almost round in diameter.
●) Back brownish, greenish, flanks golden, abdomen lighter.
Up to 120 cm in length.

Similar species

Chub - upper margin of dorsal fin curved inwards; margin of anal fin clearly curved outwards; mouth terminal.

Dace - margin of anal fin straight; scales smaller, 47 to 53 in lateral line (vs. 42 to 45 in grass carp); no reticulated pattern.

Ide - small, upturned mouth; scales smaller, 55 to 61 scales in lateral line (vs. 42 to 45 in grass carp).

Biology

Not native in Europe; occurs due to stocking, natural reproduction possible in the Danube river, Volga river and the Ural.

Diet

Feeds exclusively on plants.

Importance

In its natural distribution area an important breed and food fish.

Endangerment

Not endangered in the Baltic Sea, because the species is not native.