Common Carp Cyprinus carpio
> Common Carp are one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish species globally and have been introduced to various regions for food and sport.
> Carp are one of the largest minnows.
> Carp have been domesticated for aquaculture for centuries and are important food fish in many parts of the world.
> Carp can breathe air by a process called air gulping in which they come to the surface and suck in air from above the water.
> Their feeding habits can impact aquatic ecosystems, as they are known to uproot vegetation while feeding, potentially altering habitat for other species.
> There is a record of a Carp living 47 years.
> Common Carp were brought into Oregon by a riverboat captain who had a hatchery in Troutdale. He purchased them after the San Francisco World’s Fair, and a flood on the Columbia River washed them from his hatchery ponds. Carp subsequently became established in the Columbia and its tributaries, including the Willamette River. They were stocked in lakes and rivers by management agencies during the late 19th century and first half of the 20th century.
Identification Tips
> Common Carp have a robust, elongated body with four barbels (whisker-like sensory organs), two on each side of the mouth.
> This species is characterized by a brassy or bronze coloration, with very large plate-like scales that are often darker along the back and no scales on the head.
> The dorsal fin of Common Carps is long and serrated with a leading spine, their anal and pelvic fins also have leading rays, and they have deeply forked tails.
> Young Carp exhibit a mottled appearance, while older individuals tend to have a more uniform coloration.
Natural History
> Common Carp are known to spawn in shallow, vegetated areas during the spring or early summer, where females release adhesive eggs that stick to submerged vegetation.
> Females can produce between 300 thousand and 1 million eggs.
> Carp can live for several decades under favorable conditions.
> Common Carp feed from the bottom and often uproot vegetation. They suck up mud and silt only to eject it while retaining food items. This feeding behavior increases water turbidity.
> Carp are considered to be detrimental to native fish species due to their ability to outcompete native fish species and degrade aquatic habitats.
Distribution
> Originally native to Europe and Asia, Common Carp have been introduced to every continent except Antarctica.
> They are widespread in North America, where they inhabit lakes, rivers, ponds, and reservoirs.
> In Oregon, Carp are present in many lakes and ponds, and they are also found in the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
> In some areas, Carp are intentionally stocked for angling purposes, while in others, they are considered invasive, and efforts are made to control their populations.
> Common Carp are widespread in the mainstem Willamette River, lower reaches of tributaries, and reservoirs and lakes.
Size
> Common Carp can vary widely in size depending on environmental conditions and age.
> Adults typically range from 45 to 120 cm (16 to 47 inches) in length and weigh between 8 and 88 pounds.
Habitat
> Common Carp are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of water conditions, including turbid and polluted waters.
> This species prefers warm, slow-moving waters with abundant vegetation and organic debris.
Diet
> Carp are opportunistic feeders and consume a diverse array of food items.
> The diet of juvenile Common Carp consists of zooplankton and phytoplankton.
> Adult fish feed on aquatic plants, algae, macroinvertebrates that live on the bottom, and small fish and fish eggs.
Management Considerations
> Common Carp are widespread throughout the world except where they physically cannot live, which is the north and south poles
> In areas where Common Carp are invasive, management strategies may include the use of barriers to prevent their spread, mechanical removal methods, and targeted fishing efforts.
> Some regions have implemented regulations to control the release of Carp into new water bodies, and promote responsible angling practices to mitigate their impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Similar Species
> Goldfish. They lack Carp’s 2 pairs of barbels in upper jaw. Wild goldfish are generally smaller than Common Carp, with goldfish typically reaching up to 16 inches (40cm), while Common Carp can grow over 40 inches (101 cm)
References
For more information, see references.