The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

MD, the first thing to do is a lateral line scale count - if it's below about 31 then likeliest a goldfish as seems the case with this one. It doesn't take long to do, either on the bank or from a decent pic.

Top picture is definitely an impostor in my humble opinion but the second fish has the right jaw and looks much more like the genuine article. Trouble is its getting harder and harder to find a true crucian and soon, like wildies, we will be chasing shadows and rumours apart from on those special waters that manage to keep the riff raff out.

They are still lovely fish and doubtless more than welcome on a Spring day.

Lovely fish, the second one looks a lot more crucian than the first. Cracking condition though.

I think I'm right in saying that the Crucian has been removed from the rod caught records claims listing, as it is increasingly difficult to identify a true crucian... shame...

Here's one I prepared earlier



they really are a gorgeous fish

Some waters definitely have true crucians - just keeping them true crucians is the difficult bit! Marsh Farm being one example and a couple of pits in Yateley area being my local ones.

A September fish of 3lb12oz being my best from Marsh Farm.

Heres another Crucian which I caught last season
micky

The crucian is still on the record list. DNA testing of a single scale can prove authenticity and I hope that we will have a DNA-tested record soon. I have been working on a list of waters with crucians with Chris Turnbull and Peter Rolfe so that a list will eventually be available on Pete's crucian website. Many waters on the list at present.