Carassius langsdorfii
Temminck & Schlegel, 1846
Common Name:
Ginbuna
Synonyms and Other Names:
Carassius langsdorfi, Carassius auratus langsdorfii; Japanese Silver Crucian Carp; Silver Crucian Carp
Identification:
A small, deep and thick-bodied fish with a large caudal fin. Mouth is terminal, and scales on lateral line are large (Page and Burr 1991). Morphological identification can be difficult because Carassius langsdorfii can change its body shape and hybridizes with other Carassius species easily (Murakami et al. 2001). In addition, morphological differences between species of Carassius are small, especially between C. langsdorfii and C. auratus (Hosoya 2002).
Carassius auratus (goldfish) vs. C. langsdorfii (Ginbuna Crucian Carp) from Kalous et al. (2007).
| Morphological data | Goldfish | Ginbuna Crucian Carp |
| Anal fin rays | 5-6 | 5 |
| Scales in lateral line | 21-36 | 28-31 |
| Number of gill rakers | 37-47 | 41-57 |
Size:
390 mm total length for male/unsexed (IGFA 2001).
Native Range:
Native to Japan (Halas et al. 2018).
Ecology:
Carassius langsdorfii live in rivers and lakes in Japan (Murakami et al. 2001). This species has three known types of naturally occurring populations that have two, three, or four sets of chromosomes, but the four chromosome individuals are rare (Science of Ginbuna 2018). Carassius langsdorfii can reproduce in two different ways: typical sexual reproduction by the diploid individuals (two chromosome) like the majority of fishes and gynogenesis practiced by the triploid individuals (three chromosomes) and in rarer cases, tetraploid individuals (four chromosomes) (Ohara et al. 2003; Murakami et al. 2001). During gynogenesis, the egg is a clone of the mother, and the sperm is only used to stimulate the start of development. All offspring of the triploid mothers will be female triploids. The stimulus is usually sperm of male Carassius langsdorfii (diploid), but other species could also be used (for a breakdown of the process of meiosis in a triploid Ginbuna Crucian Carp see: Science of Ginbuna 2018).
Means of Introduction:
Accidentally introduced together with imports of commercial fishes (e.g., Koi Carps and Goldfish) (FishBase 2018).
Status:
Unknown in Lake Tahoe
Great Lakes Impacts:
Remarks:
It is thought that C. langsdorfii is diphyletic, meaning it originates from the hybridization of two species, the identities of which are not currently known (Ohara et al. 2003; Murakami et al. 2001). Asian Carassius have often been treated as subspecies of C. auratus, but taxonomy data from Kalous et al. (2007) suggest that the four recognized fishes are distinct species: C. auratus, C. cuvieri, C. gibelio and C. langsdorfii.
Murakami et al. (2001) state that it is difficult to distinguish the species from other closely related species and subspecies due to the animal’s ability to change its shape based on environmental stressors and cross with subspecies types. Other closely related species in the Carassius genera are highly susceptible to predation and have been shown to change body morphology in the presence of piscivores to help avoid predation (Brönmark and Pettersson 1994).
This species’ tendency to consist of triploid individuals and breed clonally makes it a favorable subject for scientific studies, as using genetic clones eliminates the need to account for possible genetic differences between specimens (Umino et al. 1997).
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Daniel, W.M. and C. Morningstar
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
9/25/2019
Citation for this information:
Daniel, W.M. and C. Morningstar, 2024, Carassius langsdorfii Temminck & Schlegel, 1846: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=3238, Revision Date: 9/25/2019, Access Date: 10/26/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.