Pest Fish Identification
Pest Fish Identification
Several species of introduced fish superficially resemble and are often incorrectly identified as carp. These species include wild goldfish and tench, which are also members of the family Cyprinidae. Redfin perch from the family Percichthyidae are also confused with carp occasionally. The distinguishing features of these species are listed in the table below. For more detailed descriptions of each of these species, with photos, see the fish fact sheets.
Species |
Scale |
Number of |
Barbels |
Fin Spines |
Dorsal Fin |
Carp |
Large |
~40 scales along lateral line |
two |
Two spines, 1 each on dorsal and anal fin dorsal fin |
long base and low |
Goldfish |
Large |
~30 scales along lateral line |
None |
Two spines,1 each on dorsal and anal fin dorsal fin |
long base and high at front |
Redfin Perch |
Medium |
~63 scales along lateral line |
None |
Spiny fin rays along dorsal fin |
two separate spiny dorsal fins |
Tench |
Very |
~100 scales along lateral line |
one |
None |
short based, high and rounded dorsal fin |