Fish, carp family
Crucian carp
- Maximum length
- 64cm
- Maximum weight
- 3.0kg
- Best water temperature
- 14–26 °C
- Water today (3.5 °C)
- Tolerates it, but slowed down
- Fishing districts near where it occurs
- 6
About the species Crucian carp
How to recognise it
Golden to coppery colouring, no barbels, a rounded (convex) dorsal fin, and juveniles often have a dark spot near the tail.
Where it lives
Shallow overgrown ponds, muddy waters and oxbows; it tolerates very little oxygen.
What it feeds on
Plankton, insects and plants.
Spawning
In May and June in overgrown shallows.
A native species that is being displaced by the Prussian carp.
Closed season, minimum size and daily limit
What the Fisheries Act says about crucian carp. For guidance only; check it in the fishing regulations of the district.
Daily limit
§ 14 of the Decree- 5kgOther speciesfor example crucian carp, breams, dace and chub (combined); invasive species are not counted
The limit applies per day, also when fishing in several districts. The district user may set a lower limit in the permit, in which case the stricter one applies.
Summary of Act no. 216/2018 Coll. and Decree no. 381/2018 Coll. (as of 6 Nov 2026). It may be out of date or contain an error, and exceptions apply on some waters. The permit and the fishing regulations of the district are binding. The fishing law, rule by rule.
Water temperature and requirements
At what temperature the species is active and how well today's water suits it.
Tolerates it, but slowed downTypical water in Slovakia is 3.5 °C today. The species tolerates this temperature (2 to 30 °C), but the water is colder than the ideal 14 to 26 °C. Fish tend to be slower and pickier.
- tolerates 2 to 30 °C
- best 14 to 26 °C
- spawning at 18 to 20 °C
- typical water today 3.5 °C
- Length
- up to 64 cm
- Weight
- up to 3.0 kg
- Oxygen
- Tolerates low oxygen
- Position in the food chain
- 2.9plants and small animals
The values are indicative and come from the FishBase database. In a particular water, fish behave according to the weather, air pressure, oxygen and food.
Where it was recorded
Fishing districts around which a record of this species exists (GBIF).
- OR Patkový Piesok
- Štrkovisko Adamov č. 1
- Štrkovisko Adamov č. 2
- Morava č. 7b
- Štrkovisko Boričky I.
- Štrkovisko Unín
6 fishing districts in total. Show on map
Catches of Crucian carp
Approved catches by anglers on this portal.
Nobody has logged a catch of this species yet. Be the first; once approved it will appear here and on the leaderboard.
Similar species
Photo credits
- Crucian carp: Photo: Viridiflavus, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Prussian carp: Photo: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Tench: Photo: Karelj, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Minimum sizes, protection periods and permitted fishing methods are set by the fishing regulations and the conditions of the specific fishing district. Check them before you fish.