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28 Foreign Nonindigenous Carps and Minnows (Cyprinidae) in the U.S.-A Guide to their Identification ice (Zhadin and Gerd, 1963; Penttinen and Holopainen, 1992). In addition to depressing cellular energy demands, the Crucian Carp was reported to respond to anoxia by decreasing its swimming activity by about 50 percent of that displayed during normoxia (Nilsson and others, 1993). Crucian Carp can survive indefinitely over a pH range of 4.0-1 0.5 (Hellawell, 1986). There is some evidence that the species is tolerant to low levels of salinity. For example, in parts of the former Soviet Union, the Crucian Carp inhabits brackish lakes of the steppe with salinities to 16 ppt, and spawns in the saline Volga River Delta (Zhadin and Gerd, 1963). The Crucian Carp is omnivorous (Prejs, 1973), and its diet varies seasonally (Penttinen and Holopainen, 1992). Diet studies report a predominance of cladocerans as well as trichopterans, rotifers, ostracods, copepods, chironomids, ephemeropterans, nematodes, algae, detritus, and plant matter (Prejs, 1973; Penttinen and Holopainen, 1992). Native Distribution The Crucian Carp is native to Europe and Asia. For details of the native range, refer to Szczerbowski and Szczerbowski (2001). U.S. Introductions Over the past two centuries, there have been a few scattered reports of the occurrence of Crucian Carp in the U.S. (possibly involving hybrids with either Goldfish or Common Carp). Meek and Hildebrand (1910) reported Crucian Carp thriving in the lagoons and parks of Chicago. However, a more recent work on Illinois fishes (Smith, 1979) suggested this population disappeared long ago. There are no recent reports of established populations ofCrucian Carp in the U.S. An earlier report that the species had been introduced into Texas (see Fuller and others, 1999) is now considered unlikely. Robert Howells (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, personal commun, 2004) believes that the species was never introduced into Texas and that earlier reports were probably based on Goldfish. Although the status of previous introductions is uncertain, fish farmers in Arkansas have recently been contacted by commercial fish markets about the possibility of culturing the species for the live-food fish trade in the U.S. Future importation of Crucian Carp may lead to its introduction and possible establishment. Consequently, its introduction and status remain uncertain. For additional details, refer to Fuller and others (1999).