Asp (fish)

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Asp

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Aspius
Species:	A. aspius

Binomial name

Aspius aspius
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Asp is a European freshwater fish of the Cyprinid family. It is protected by the of the Bern Convention of endangered species and habitats (Appendix III). Asps are also on the IUCN Red List of endangered species.

Eggs from asp

Normally asps are between 10 to 80 centimeters in length, with some reaching 120 centimeters, and weighing up to 12 kg. It inhabits lakes and lower reaches of rivers and estuaries. In spring, in April-June, the asps migrates from lakes to streams for spawning. Spawning is triggered by the raise in temperature and usually starts at 6°C. The eggs attach to rocks, gravel and water plants. After around two weeks they hatch and the fry drifts down stream to calmer waters.

Asps can be found in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Belgium. In Switzerland asps have immigrated through the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. And in Croatia, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and so on. In the Eastern regions of Europe it is a common species of the flowing waters, very nice target for fly fishing and other types of predatory fishing too.

Another species of asp (Aspius vorax)are found in abundance in the lakes and canals in what is now known as Camp Victory Base Complex near the Baghdad International Airport. It is believed that the Asp is not native to this region but was imported to improve sport fishing opportunities for the pre-war ruling political party.