Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

FishFreshwaterWild

Overview

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a large freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae, native to Eurasia and now found across much of the world after widespread introduction. It is one of the most economically important freshwater fish globally, farmed for food and valued in angling, and it is the species from which ornamental koi were bred. In many regions outside its native range, the common carp is considered an invasive species.

Habitat & Range

Carp live in slow-moving and still fresh waters such as lakes, ponds, and the lower reaches of rivers, often where the bottom is soft and vegetation is plentiful. They are hardy and tolerant of a range of conditions, including low oxygen and turbid water, which has helped them spread. Their tolerance and bottom-feeding habits can disturb habitats and harm native species where they are introduced.

Diet

Carp are omnivores that feed largely on the bottom, taking invertebrates, plant material, seeds, and detritus, often stirring up sediment as they forage. This rooting behaviour can increase water turbidity. Diet varies with habitat and season; this page describes general feeding ecology rather than husbandry quantities.

Behavior

Carp are generally social fish that may gather in groups, and they are most active in warmer water, slowing in winter. They are considered intelligent and, among anglers, wary and hard to catch. Spawning typically occurs in warm shallow water in spring and summer, and carp can be highly productive, which contributes to their success as an introduced species.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Carp have a long history with people as a farmed food fish, an angling target, and the ancestor of ornamental koi. Their introduction beyond their native range, however, has made them a problematic invasive species in many areas, where they can degrade habitats and outcompete native fish. Conservation status and management vary by region and should be checked against current sources; the common carp itself is widespread.

Similar Animals

The common carp is the wild species behind ornamental koi and a close relative of the goldfish, all in the carp family. It can be confused with other large cyprinids, but its barbels and body shape are useful identifying features.

More photos of the carp