Cyprinus carpio
Common Carp are large
fish, growing up to 30 inches long, and sixty pounds. They
have a "heavy" body with a dark, olive-colored back and
lighter sides. A carp's belly is yellowish. Common Carp have two
barbels
("whiskers") on their upper lip. They also have a large
dorsal (back) fin. Carp live in streams,
lakes, ponds, and rivers, wherever there is a lot of
aquatic
plants.
Germano Schuur Common Carp are not
native
to our area; they were introduced
into America from Asia as a food source. Unfortunately, carp hurt
our native fish species by uprooting plants, disturbing the
bottom, and eating fish eggs. Besides fish eggs, carp
eat algae,
other water plants, insects, earthworms, aquatic worms,
snails, mussels, crayfish, and rotifers. They also eat old
dead plant parts from the bottom. Common Carp swim along
the bottom, sucking up mud and food items. They spit out the
stuff they don't eat. Carp are most active in
early morning and evenings. Common Carp
spawn
(breed) in weedy areas.
