Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758

Freshwater, Fishery, Commercial

Spawn in marginal, shallow, weed-infested areas. A polytypic plastic species with a marked tendency to produce `varieties"quot; and `races"quot; in response to selective breeding and environmental influences. Carp is polygamous. A spawning female is usually followed by several males. Under tropical conditions carp breeds throughout the year. It is a seasonal spawner in temperate waters . Females are known to lay more than a million eggs in a season; breeds at a temperature range of 15° C to 20°C; eggs hatch in 4 days . Obligatory plant spawners . The sticky eggs are attached to water plants or other submerged objects. Reproductive success is restricted to years when the water level starts rising in May and when high temperatures and flooding of terrestrial vegetation last for a long period during May and June .

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Inhabit lakes, ponds or slow moving waters, preferably with a muddy bottom; riverine conditions do not appear to suit the carp. Though they occur naturally in open river systems they are never known to dominate the environment. Larger fish generally frequent deeper waters. Common carp are acclimated to a variety of habitats and extremes of environment, eg high salinities and low oxygen concentrations . They have been observed to gulp air at the surface of oxygen-depleted waters . During winter carp go into deeper water which will be comparatively warmer than water in shallow areas. They are now established in the wild in Zimbabwe . Common carps are active swimmers that can leap obstacles up to 1 meter high and negotiate torrential flows . Feed on detritus, plants and benthic organisms . They feed by "quot;roiling"quot;, ie straining material from the mud . They will also take aquatic plants and insects from the surface . Also Ref. 9666.

Aeromonosis. Bacterial ; Anchor worm Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.) ; Anchorworm Disease (Lernaea sp.). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.) ; Bacterial Infections (general). Bacterial ; Boil Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.) ; Capillaria Infestation 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.) ; Carp Coronovirus Infection. Viral ; Carp Iridovirus. Viral ; Carp Reovirus. Viral ; Chilodonella Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.) ; Coccidiosis (intestine). Parasitic infestation; Fin-rot Disease (latestage ). Bacterial diseases

Fresh and brackish water, river, wetlands and culture tanks

Habitat benthopelagic; potamodromous ; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10 - 15

IUCN Redlist Category: Vulnerable

Data deficient (DD) IUCN 2006

fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial