Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Prussian Carp (Carassius gibelio) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally and are of establishment concern for the contiguous United States based on a climate matching analysis.

Carassius gibelio, Prussian Carp, is a fish that is native to northern and eastern Asia and potentially as far west as central Europe. It has been introduced and established populations throughout Europe in addition to southwest and central Asia, Algeria, and Canada; these introductions have occurred both intentionally for aquaculture or fishing opportunities as well as accidentally. C. gibelio prefers shallow, eutrophic waters and is known to tolerate low dissolved oxygen concentrations and pollution. This species is able to reproduce both sexually and asexually, producing all-female offspring after having their eggs activated, but not fertilized, by other fish species. The History of Invasiveness for Carassius gibelio is classified as High due to clear and convincing evidence of nonnative establishment and negative impacts of introduction, including declines in native fish populations. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species. The climate match was high across most of the contiguous United States, with the exception of parts of the Southeast, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Medium due to uncertainty in the native versus introduced range related to identification challenges and taxonomic uncertainty. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Carassius gibelio in the contiguous United States is High.