Cyprinus carpio

Eurasian Carp

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish. It is also known as the Eurasian carp or just carp. It is found in lakes and rivers in Europe and Asia.

Since it is a destructive invasive species, it is part of the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species. The type subspecies is Cyprinus carpio carpio, found in the Danube and Volga River.

Description

Appearance

The Eurasian carp has a robust body with a dark gold sheen. It has big, shiny scales on its body. It has large pectoral fins and a tapering dorsal fin. The longest-lived common carp was 64 years old and the biggest recorded carp weighed 45.59 kg. When they're given sufficient space and nutrients, these fishes can grow to a very large size.

Its food

Since they are omnivorous, they will devour aquatic plants and seeds, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, benthic worms, fish eggs, and leftovers.

Home

Common carp live in freshwater environments, preferably large bodies of slow water.

Sketch

Introduction

United States

In 1831, Eurasian carp were introduced into the United States. These fish are not usually eaten anymore because they are pests.

They are attempting to reduce the common carp's population by 75% in Utah to save the June sucker from extinction.

As food

Common carp is eaten in Central Europe as part of Christmas Eve. In the United States, it's not usually eaten because shoppers usually like fillets.

Gallery

A dead common carp

References

1. Taylor, J., R. Mahon. 1977. "Hybridization of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus, the first two exotic species in the lower Laurentian Great Lakes." Environmental Biology Of Fishes. 1(2):205-208.

Other websites

• Cyprinus carpio. FishBase.