Other Cyprinids

Orfe

Size: grow up to 40in (1m) in length in the wild. Cultivated varieties do not often exceed 24in (61cm)

Distribution: Native to the River Danube basin and most parts of northern Europe (but not Norway). There is at least one established population in Maine, USA.

Habitat: Lives in large shoals in lowland, flowing waters and lakes. Also known from some brackish water areas.

Temperature: From near-freezing to over 30C (86F).

Diet: While being primarilyu a predatory species, it will, nevertheless, accept a wide range of commercial pond foods.

Breeding: Eggs are scattered among five-leaved vegetation or on spawning mats/brushes in late spring and can take as long as 20 days to hatch

Tench

Size: Wild specimens measuring as much as 28in (71cm) have been reported. Usually, in ponds, a sixe of 12-16in (30-41cm) is attainable in about three years under favourable conditions.

Distribution: Widespread in Europe and stretching east in Russia. It is , however, absent in northern Scandinavia, possibly Scotland, Ireland, Iberia and the Adriatic coastline. It has been widely introduced into regions outside its originial natural range, including a number of locations in some of the above areas and the US, where it was first released in 1880.

Habitat: Tench like muddy bottoms in which they occasionally busy themselves  during particularly cold spells. Slow-flowing or still waters are prefered, particularly those with abundant aquatic vegetation.

Temperature: From near freezing to over 30C (86F).

Diet: An omnivorous species that will therefore eat a wide range of both animal and plant-based foods.

Breeding: Adhesive eggs (between 300'000 and 900'000) are laid among plants by mature females in late spring and early summer. Hatching takes about 6-8 days, depending on pond temperature.

Some Miscellaneous Cyprinids

Crucian carp
Carassius carassius
Similar to Goldfish, but larger, much deeper-bodies, convex dorsal fin and smaller head. Grow to 20in (51cm)

Gibel, Prussian Carp
Carassius gibelius
"Western" version of the Goldfish (which is Asiatic in origin). Similar to Goldfish but deeper bodied  and smaller head. Colour is greenish-brown on the back and golden-green on the sides. Grows up to 14in (36cm)

Clicker Barb, Stone Moroko
Pseudorasbora parva
Slender and hardy. Makes clicking noises, particularly during courtship/aggressive displays. Grows up to 4in (10cm).

Bream
Abramis brama
Deep, flat sided body with large, easily dislodged scales. Ventrally placed mouth which is extendible and thus, adapted for bottom feeding. Grows up to 31in (79cm).

Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Large head, compressed belly and "keel" along the ventral region. Upward-pointing mouth; small scales. Feeds exclusively on phytoplankton (free-floating microscopic plants) and therefore difficult to keep in peak condition in most ponds.

Pale Chub, Zacco
Zacco platypus
Attractively marked, Japanese species. Fast swimming predator with excellent jumping ability. Males have unusually shaped anal fin.