Common Carp Facts

Carp Description

The dorsal fin of carp has a long base and has a stout spine with serrated edges as the first ray, with the rest of the fin sloping down the back with a concave free edge. The mouth is toothless but 2 barbells are located on each side with the second one longer than the first.

Habitat of Carps

Carps thrive in freshwater, usually large lakes and slow flowing rivers found in the lowland areas. In comparison to the stout and stocky, artificially-reared species of carp, the native carps of East and Central Europe have slender bodies.

Diet

This freshwater fish is an omnivore, feeding on vegetation and bottom-dwellers in its habitat such as insect larvae, mollusks, and worms.

Carp Breeding

Breeding time for carps occur during late spring in the shallow parts of a sunny area with warm temperatures. They prefer to breed over dense vegetation. Carps lay their eggs and attach them to the plants where the hatchlings will start to grow.

Carp Trivia for Kids

Carps can be spotted in still waters and gently flowing rivers. As of today in the United Kingdom, the heaviest recorded carp captured is 64 lbs 14oz.

Cichlid Species

According to Cichlid facts, there are currently more than 1,300 species of cichlid recorded but there are still discoveries of new species made every year with an estimated total of over 3,000 species all in all! Despite the many varieties of cichlids, all the species of this fish can only be found in Africa and in very specific places.

Natural Habitat of Cichlids

Cichlids are indigenous to the lakes of eastern Africa such as the Victoria, Malawi, and Edward Lakes and also to the largest lake in central Africa, the Tanganyika Lake. It has been postulated that the two types of cichlids evolved from different species of fish. The huge variety of cichlid species in these places plays a vital role in the study of evolution in these areas by scientists.

Cichlid as Aquarium Fish

The cichlid is a very popular fish in aquariums because some species are small and come in a variety of colors. They are also easier to keep in artificial aquariums than fish from the sea. On another note, some species of cichlids are bred for consumption because they grow to enormous sizes. Local fishermen also capture cichlids from the wild.

Cichlid Diet

Depending on the species of cichlid, the diet of these fish varies largely. Some cichlid species mainly live off on algae and water-dwelling invertebrates. Other species have diets that consist of small fish and insects. Because cichlids can consume almost anything edible that is available, this trait has proved to be pestilent for those fish introduced by humans to places such as Asia and North America.

More Cichlid Fun Facts

• Cichlids have a lot of predators and that includes humans, predatory birds and other fish. A strange fact about these fish is that the smallest of the cichlids in the area serve as prey to the larger fish in the same area.

• Cichlids are known to have very strong parental bond with her brood during the breeding season. As the female cichlid lays her eggs and latches them on the rocks, she guards the eggs and fans them with water. Meanwhile, the male parent guards the area and defends it from other fish. The parents still look after the new hatchlings (called fry) until the hatchlings are able to swim freely.

• Strangely, some species of cichlids can be located at the Amazon basin in South America. These species include the freshwater angelfish, the Oscar (marbled cichlid) and the discus fish. These estranged species of cichlid are thought to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean years ago and have evolved since then in their current environment.

The Walleye (also known as the pickerel, dore or jackfish) is among the most popular of all game fish. These members of the perch family are famous for their unpredictability in the sense that they act crazy for a few days and then disappear without a trace the next time. Also, if the walleye decides to stop taking the bait, no amount of enticement can tempt it to bite.

Walleye’s Distinctive Characteristics and Behavior

A distinctive characteristic of walleyes are their marble-like eyes. Their eyes have a reflective pigment which gives the fish a walleyed look, hence their name. Because of this pigmentation in their eyes, the walleye can see clearly in dim light. This gives these successful predators an advantage over their most common prey, the yellow perch which lacks effective eyesight in dark places or at night. The feature also means that walleyes feed mostly at night.

On another note, this freshwater fish cannot tolerate very bright lights, and they have difficulty swimming in open spaces during the daytime, especially at noon. For this reason, walleyes swim deep during daytime, up to 40 feet below the water surface just to avoid the glare of the sun.

More Facts

Another interesting fact about the walleye is their lack of blue and yellow cells in their eyes. Although not totally blind, these fish see the world in shades of red and green. Therefore, lures that are colored orange, red or green are more effective than baits of other shades.

Sturgeon Description

Sturgeons have a primitive look, with a unique heterocercal tail where the upper part of the tail fin is longer than the lower part. Its body is covered by 5 rows of hard, bony scales. They have a tube-like mouth that can be found under the bony, elongated snout. The mouth protrudes several inches while the fish feeds on the bottom of the river. Their color is from gray-olive to brown on the top part and white on the underbelly.

Facts about Sturgeon Habitat and Life Cycle

The life cycle of a sturgeon is complex and it is still not clear as to how they reproduce. The only feature about their life cycle confirmed is that they migrate from saltwater to spawn in the brackish waters of the estuary. Although their sexual maturity depends on the habitat they are in, males usually reach sexual maturity at 3 years and females at 5 years.

Essential sturgeon facts for kids
Sturgeons are among the longest living fish in the world. They grow slowly but as they reach maturity, their only natural enemies are humans. This freshwater fish is already an endangered fish species.

1. There are species of salmon that are already extinct.

2. The death of a salmon means food for many animals such as eagles, bears, and otters.

3. A salmon knows when to return to its spawning ground by measuring the length of the days (indicating the season).

5. Salmon can swim up to speeds of 14 kilometers per hour.

6. The law prohibits salmon fishing on fishing grounds.

7. Within a couple of days after spawning, the salmon’s belly turns red and then it dies.

8. Another amazing salmon fact is that Salmon use low-frequency sound waves to locate food from afar because they are nearsighted.

9. The largest salmon in the Pacific Ocean are the Chinook salmon which can grow over 100 pounds in weight.

10. Pollution in the water can kill the salmon on their way to the spawning grounds and also the fry hatchlings.

11. Less than one out of 1000 eggs laid in the wild make it to be spawning adult salmon.

12. Salmon can survive and can be comfortable in waters with a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 12.8 degrees Celsius.

14. This saltwater / freshwater fish can find their way back to their spawning ground by smelling the right stream.

15. Rainbow trout (which can also be called ‘steel head trout) are really Pacific salmon.

16. A female salmon can lay up to 1200 eggs into the nest.

Minnow Description

Minnows belong to the family, Cyprinidae. These are small silvery fish that are less than 4 inches in length and live up to 3 or 4 years, although some larger minnows can live up to 10. Identification of minnow species is difficult because there are a lot of minnow variations and crossbreed characteristics.

Different Species of Minnow

Common minnow species such as the creek chub, fallfish, golden shiner and the common shiner are natives to North America. The goldfish and the carp are also members of the Cyprinidae family but they did not originate in the freshwaters of North America.

Other members of the family are used mainly as bait such as the bluntnose and fathead.

Facts about Minnows Breeding
Minnows reach sexual maturity very quickly. Minnows lay their eggs on algae at the bottom of their habitat. In some species, the male builds a nest and guards over the eggs until they hatch. Minnows usually breed during spring and midsummer.

Minnow Care Tips

Minnows are very easy to keep as pets. Just get a tank that is 2-4 feet deep, filter, submersible water pump, a temperature regulator and you are all set!

Basic Facts about Silver Dollar

Characteristics: Silver dollars are generally characterized by their disk-like body, short fins and luminous silver color. They are also known to be peaceful and sociable freshwater fish, but they can be prevailing predator within their environment.

Habitat: Silver dollars are known to have originated from Tapajas River basin. They are found inhabiting in tropical and well-vegetated rivers.

Diet: Silver dollars are omnivores in nature. They primarily feed on weeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates such as spiders, worms and insects.

More Silver Dollar Facts for Kids

• Silver dollars are known to live and search for food in groups called as “shoals”.

• Some species of reptiles, larges fish and birds are the predominant predators of silver dollar fish.

• The size of silver dollar fish ranges from 5 centimeter to 14 centimeter.

• Silver dollar can live around 2 to 10 years. Its optimum ph level is around 5 to 7.

• Full grown female silver dollar can lay up to 2,000 eggs. They usually breed in soft, warm water.

• When silver dollar is kept as aquarium fish, it is advisable not to keep them together with smaller species of fish. It is believed that silver dollars live happily in aquarium along with large fish like catfish and Oscar fish.

Characteristics

Piranhas are characterized by their rounded head and razor-sharp teeth. They usually come in silver color along with the red-pigmented patches.

Habitat

Piranhas are found inhabiting in freshwater of South America particularly in Amazon basin where the current of water is quite faster.

Diet

Although piranhas are carnivorous in nature, they are actually omnivore. They primarily feed on insects, fish, snails, plants, and even larger animals that drop on the water. They usually hunt and attack preys in large group.

More Fascinating Facts about Piranha

• Piranhas are preyed by larger animals including botos or river dolphins, turtles, larger fish, birds and crocodiles.

• The average size of piranhas is 30 centimeter in length, but there are some other species that can grow up to 80 centimeters.

• One fun piranha facts is that most people tend to fear piranhas more than sharks.

• Piranhas mostly breed in pairs in lagoons and alike where the flow of water is quite slower. They usually breed during rainy season. Female piranhas can lay over 5,000 eggs on average. And since both male and female piranhas are protective over their offspring, about 90% of the eggs hatch successfully.

Basic Facts about Tetra Fish

Characteristics: Tetra fish is generally characterized by its small-sized body and colorful markings.

Habitat: There are approximately 150 varied species of tetra spread throughout South America and Africa. This freshwater fish is mostly found inhabiting in slow-running rivers and clear water streams.

Classification: Tetra fish is classified into two groups which are Alestiidaes, tetra fish from Africa and Characidaes, tetra from South America.

Diet: Tetra fish is omnivore in nature. They primarily feed on algae, brine shrimp, plankton and small invertebrates like worms.

More Facts about Tetra Fish for Kids

• Since species of tetra fish are generally small-sized, they have numerous predators within their natural environment. They are preyed by larger animals and fishes such as fish, eels, invertebrates and crustaceans. Because of this, they can only live around 2 to 5 years.

• The size of tetra fish ranges from 0.25in to 1.25in. Its best pH is around 5.5 to 7.5.

• Tetra fishes are breeding in pairs. A full grown female tetra fish can lay about 130 eggs. These eggs hatch after a couple of days.

Common Facts about Pikes

Characteristics: Pikes are characterized by their strong, powerful jaw, pointed head, elongated body and sharp teeth used for catching preys. They usually come in blue, grey, black and white colors.

Habitat: Pikes are freshwater-dwelling fish. They are found inhabiting in slow-running freshwater such as large streams, rivers and lakes across Canada, Europe, North America, and western part of Asia.

Diet: Pikes are generally carnivorous in nature, despite of the fact that young pikes feed on plants. They primarily feed on insects, smaller species of fish, snails, frogs and toads.

Lifespan: Since pikes are generally large-sized, they have few numbers of predators. Due to this, their average lifespan ranges from 12 to 15 years.

More Facts about Pikes for Kids

• The size of pike determines its sex. It is known that the larger the pike is, the more likely it is female. Male pikes are usually smaller than female pikes, weighing only 10 lbs or more.

• The size of pike ranges from 20 inches to 71 inches.

• A full grown female pike can lay around 200,000 eggs. They usually lay eggs during spring season for their offspring to have longer time to develop before winter season starts.

• Due to water pollution and over-fishing, pike population in Europe and North America is affected.