Golden carp
Carassius auratus
The golden carp can measure up to 40 cm, although it is usually smaller. It has a robust body covered with large scales. It differs from the carp by not having barbels in the mouth. The coloration is golden brown, but there are many ornamental varieties of golden carp, which take red or orange colors, and sometimes yellowish white, black and combinations of all these colors.
The golden carp is native to Central and East Asia and has been introduced to many countries around the world. Distribution in Catalonia is discontinuous, but to a greater or lesser extent it appears in most basins, although generally in low abundance.
It has a preference for stagnant or slow-flowing waters, with abundant aquatic vegetation. It resists slightly polluted water and little oxygen. It feeds on plants, algae, insects and other invertebrates.
Golden carp can cause adverse ecological effects due to competition with native species.
Distribution
Gibel carp
Carassius gibelio
The gibel carp can reach a maximum size of about 40 cm and 3 kg of weight. The morphology is very similar to golden carp, and basically differs by a more silvery coloration.
It is native to central and northern Europe, and the west of Asia. It is introduced in Catalonia, but the distribution is little known for the difficulty of differentiating it from the golden carp.
It lives in lakes, reservoirs and rivers of slow waters and abundant aquatic vegetation. It is an omnivorous species that feeds on invertebrates, plants, algae and detritus.
Distribution