What Kind of Fish Is the Freshwater Crucian Carp? A Detailed Explanation of the Four Major Differences From the Grass Carp
The crucian carp, also known as the knife fish, fu fish, or native crucian carp, is a common edible fish in China. Because its flesh is tender, its nutritional value is high, and its price is low, it is deeply loved by people, and it is farmed in many places. So what kind of fish is the crucian carp? What is the difference between it and the grass carp?
1. What kind of fish is the crucian carp?
1. The crucian carp is a freshwater fish of the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, genus Cyprinus, abbreviated as ji. Its head resembles that of a small common carp, and its body is streamlined, deep and laterally compressed, curved at the front and raised at the back, with a body length of about 20 cm. The head is short and small, with no barbels. It has a dorsal fin, anal fin, and caudal fin, among which the third ray of the dorsal fin and anal fin has a hard spine with serrations on the rear edge. The caudal fin is silver-gray with a slightly yellow luster. In March and April, its flesh is thick and it has plenty of roe, making it a top-grade fish.
2. The crucian carp is a freshwater fish, generally more common in freshwater areas such as paddy fields, ponds, and lakes, but as air and water temperatures gradually rise, the crucian carp will also swim toward the middle and lower layers or the middle and upper layers of the water to feed. Its flesh is generally at its plumpest and most delicious in February to April or August to December. Common varieties include the native crucian carp, Dianchi high-back crucian carp, Pengze crucian carp, Fangzheng silver crucian carp, white crucian carp, and others, among which the native crucian carp and white crucian carp are the two most commonly seen in daily life.
3. The crucian carp is an omnivorous fish, generally feeding mainly on plant-based food, such as tender aquatic plants, small shrimp, earthworms, insects, and young snails, so it is very easy to raise. Of course, it can also be fed mixed feed made from corn, soybean cake, and the like.
4. The crucian carp is a high-protein fish. Generally, every 100 g contains 13 g of protein, 11 g of fat, and various trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It has the effect of warming the stomach and tonifying deficiency, making it very suitable for postpartum mothers, people after surgery, or those who are weak and in poor health.
2. What is the difference between the crucian carp and the grass carp?
Difference one, different family and genus: The crucian carp is a freshwater fish of the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, subfamily Cyprininae, genus Carassius; the grass carp is a freshwater fish of the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, subfamily Leuciscinae, genus Ctenopharyngodon.
Difference two, different appearance: The crucian carp has a small, flat, and elongated body, and its dorsal fin opens like a long triangle; the grass carp has a somewhat longer body, looks round overall, and its dorsal fin opens into an irregular square shape.
Difference three, different distribution range: The crucian carp is commonly found in Eurasia and is relatively common in water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds in China; the grass carp is commonly found in rivers and lakes in plain areas and generally lives in the middle and lower layers of the water or in nearshore areas with abundant aquatic plants.
Difference four, different food: The crucian carp has omnivorous feeding habits and mainly eats plant-based food. It can usually eat small shrimp, earthworms, insects, diatoms, aquatic plants, and the like, especially in areas where water caltrop or lotus root grows, where it can obtain various rich nutrients; the grass carp is lively and active and often feeds in groups. Generally, in the juvenile stage it eats various larvae and algae, and when it grows larger it eats earthworms, dragonflies, and the like.
In general, the crucian carp is a freshwater fish with a head resembling that of a small common carp. Its flesh is generally at its plumpest and most delicious in February to April or August to December, and it can warm the stomach and tonify deficiency, making it suitable for postpartum women and people after surgery. Although it is similar to the grass carp, the two differ to some extent in appearance and distribution range, so attention should be paid when purchasing.