Cyprinus carpio carpio in USM Engineering Campus
Common carp

(source: fishbase, Compiled by SSK)

Cyprinus  carpio carpio
Family:	Cyprinidae
Order:	Cypriniformes
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FB name:	Common carp
Max. size:	120.0 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 38 kg; max. reported age: 47 years
Environment:	benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7.0 - 7.5; dH range: 10.0 - 15.0
Climate:	temperate; 3 - 32°C; 60°N - 40°N
Global  Importance:	fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes; aquarium: show aquarium
Distribution:	Western Europe throughout Eurasia to China, and South-East Asia, Siberia and India. One of the first species to be introduced into other countries and now attains global distribution. Inland aquaculture and capture fisheries contributions proved to be very significant. A reophilic wild population in the Danube is assumed to be the origin of the European species; this population is now under threat . Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis:	Dorsal spines (total): 3-4; Dorsal softrays (total): 17-23; Anal spines: 2-3; Anal soft-rays: 5-6; Vertebrates: 36-37. Pharyngeal teeth 1, 1, 3:3, 1,1, robust, molar-like with crown flattened or somewhat furrowed. Scales large and thick. `Wild carp ' is generally distinguished by its less stocky build with height of body 1:3.2-4.8 in standard length. Very variable in form, proportions, squamation, development of fins, and color. Caudal fin with 3 spines and 17-19 rays . Last simple anal ray bony and serrated posteriorly; 4 barbles; 17-20 branched dorsal rays; body grey to bronze .
Biology:	Occur at a temperature range of 3-35°C. Hardy and tolerant of a wide variety of conditions but generally favor large water bodies with slow flowing or standing water and soft bottom sediments. Common carp thrive in large turbid rivers. They are omnivorous, feeding mainly on aquatic insects, crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, weed and tree seeds, wild rice, aquatic plants and algae; mainly by grubbing in sediments . Spawn in spring and summer, laying sticky eggs in shallow vegetation . A female 47 cm in length produces about 300,000 eggs. Young are probably preyed upon by northern pike, muskellunge, and largemouth bass. Adults uproot and destroy submerged aquatic vegetation and therefore may be detrimental to duck and native fish populations (Ref. 1998). Utilized fresh and frozen .
Threatened:	Data deficient  () , World Conservation Monitoring Centre ,
Dangerous:	potential pest
Main Ref:	Kottelat, M.. 1997.