Asp
A predatory freshwater fish native to Europe and western Asia.
The asp is a large cyprinid fish found in rivers and lakes across continental Europe and western Asia. First described by Linnaeus in 1758, it is unique among its relatives for being a active predator that hunts other fish. It supports both commercial food fisheries and recreational angling.
- Rare predatory behaviour among cyprinid fishes
- Can reach lengths of 120 cm and weights of 9 kg
- Native to river systems draining into five major seas
- Spawns in spring over gravel or submerged vegetation
- First scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758
What it is
The asp is a ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes daces and minnows. It has a long, laterally compressed body with a pointed snout and a sharp keel between the pelvic and anal fins. The back shows green, silver and blue tints, while the belly is silvery white. Fins are grey to brown. Adults typically reach 55 cm in length, though they can grow up to 120 cm and weigh 9 kg.
Where it lives
This species is native to large lowland rivers and lakes in continental Europe and western Asia. Its range covers drainages flowing into the North Sea, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caspian Sea and Aral Sea. It is absent from the Crimean Peninsula and certain coastal areas of Bulgaria and Turkey. Humans have introduced it to rivers in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Russia and Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan.
How it lives
Unlike most cyprinoids, the asp is a predator. Juveniles hunt in groups, but adults are usually solitary or form small packs. They primarily eat other fish, such as common bleak and European smelt, and may catch small waterbirds. Some populations live in freshwater year-round, while others migrate to brackish estuaries to feed before returning to rivers to spawn. They can live for more than a decade.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning occurs in spring, from mid-March to mid-April in much of Europe, extending to May in the Volga region. Females release sticky eggs over gravel beds or submerged vegetation. Migratory populations begin moving upstream in October, staying in fresh water until the breeding season begins. The asp frequently hybridises with the ide where their habitats overlap.
Fish and people
Anglers value the asp for sport fishing due to its predatory nature and size. It is also harvested as a food fish in various regions within its native range. The Swedish names for the fish, esping or esp, may refer to its spawning run coinciding with the flowering of the aspen tree.
Questions people ask about Asp
What does the asp eat?
The asp is a predatory fish that mainly feeds on other fish species, particularly the common bleak and European smelt. It is also known to catch small waterbirds on occasion.
How big do asp fish get?
While the typical adult length is around 55 cm, the asp can grow to a maximum total length of 120 cm. The maximum published weight for this species is 9 kg.
Where is the asp found?
It is native to large lowland rivers and lakes in continental Europe and western Asia, including drainages of the North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral Seas. It has also been introduced to several other river systems.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Asp (fish)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
Like Asp
All carps and minnows
WorldTench
Slippery freshwater fish with olive-green skin and red eyes.Carp · Rivers and lakes · 1758
🇰🇪 Kenya and 4 moreRipon barbel
A large freshwater cyprinid from East African lakes and rivers.Carp · Rivers and lakes · 1900
🇮🇷 Iran and 2 moreCaspian kutum
A prized ray-finned fish from the Caspian Sea.Carp · Estuaries and mangroves · 1901
🇮🇳 India and 4 moreRohu
A large silver carp from South Asian rivers, farmed for food and prized as a game fish.Carp · Rivers and lakes
More from Leuciscidae
All of them
EuropeCommon bream
A deep-bodied European freshwater fish popular with anglers.Carp · Rivers and lakes · 1758
🇷🇺 RussiaCaspian roach
A brackish water fish from the Caspian Sea region, widely consumed as a dried snack.Carp · Estuaries and mangroves
🇷🇺 Russia and 4 moreSabre carp
A silvery surface feeder from Eastern Europe and Asia.Carp · Rivers and lakes
🇺🇸 United States and 1 moreCreek chubs
Small North American minnows with a distinctive dorsal spotCarp · Rivers and lakes