Aspius

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Aspius
Aspius aspius Prague Vltava 1.jpg
Asp (Aspius aspius)
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Leuciscinae
Genus: Aspius
Agassiz, 1832

Aspius is sometimes considered a genus of Eurasian cyprinid fish, with two recognized species. Both species are now usually included in the genus Leuciscus. They live in depths of water at a minimum of 10 m (33 ft.), at 4 to 20 °C (39 to 68 F.). These fish grow to a maximum of 120 cm (3.9 ft.) long and weigh no more than 12 kg (26 lb.) and live up to 11 years.[1] Aspius species have 7–9 dorsal soft rays and 12–15 anal soft rays. Their long bodies have a long, sharp head. They have a green back with a silver/blue tint with a silver/white belly. Their pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins are grey and brown.[2]

Distribution[]

Aspius species are predominantly found in Europe and Asia in large rivers draining to the North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and the Caspian Sea. They mostly inhabit open waters with large and medium-sized lowland rivers and large lakes.[2]

Species[]

  • Aspius aspius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Asp)
  • Aspius vorax Heckel, 1843 (Mesopotamian Asp)

References[]

  1. ^ Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). Species of Aspius in FishBase. August 2011 version.
  2. ^ a b "Leuciscus aspius, Asp: Fisheries, aquaculture, gamefish". Fish Base. Retrieved 27 April 2013.


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