Size | Typically 12 to 36 inches in length |
Body Shape | Elongated, streamlined body with a flat, broad head. |
Scales | Overlapping scales that can have various colors and patterns. |
Colors | red, orange, yellow, white, and black. |
Fins | Two pectoral fins, two pelvic fins, a dorsal fin, an anal fin, and a tail fin. |
Mouth | Terminal mouth located at the front of the head. |
Eyes | Round and protruding eyes. |
Barbels | Whisker-like sensory organs, called barbels, near the mouth. |
Lifespan | Typically 20 to 30 years. |
Habitat | Freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. |
Temperature | 50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. |
Diet | Omnivorous, consuming a diet of aquatic plants, insects, and small crustaceans. |