Habitat of common carp

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) belongs to the order Cypriniformes and the family Cyprinidae, which is considered the largest family of freshwater fish.

C. carpio grows rapidly, achieves sexual maturation in the second year of life, and is highly fertile (about 2 million eggs per female). Common carp dominate wetlands and lakes because of their long life spans and large size. They are the largest of the Cyprinidae family and can weigh well over 9 kg and span more than 60 cm

It generally inhabits freshwater environments, especially ponds, lakes and rivers, and also rarely inhabits brackish-water environments. It is naturally distributed in its wild form from the piedmont zone of the Danube Rover to the Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, as western dispersant in central Asia and as eastern dispersant in Siberia.

Now, it is widely distributed in almost all countries of the world but is very popular in Asia and some European countries.

The fish can tolerate a wide range of water quality parameters. In natural water bodies, this species can survive in very low water temperature and it can tolerate low concentrations and supersaturation of dissolved oxygen.

Common carp is frequently called an ‘ecological engineer’ because it can modify ecological characteristics of aquatic systems.
Habitat of common carp

Freshwater fish of common carp

Common carp or Cyprinus carpio is one of the largest members of the minnow family and close relative of the goldfish. It is a truly domesticated fish species. North American carp originate from pond-cultured carp brought from Great Britain during the 19th century. It has escaped into wild and became an invasive exotic that kills aquatic vegetation.

The common carp has a deep body form and a heavy appearance. Distinctive features include a short head, a rounded snout, a single long dorsal fin, a forked tail, and relatively large scales.

Crucian carp

The common carp is a widely cultured strictly freshwater fish which can reach a length of about 80 cm and weight of about 10 to 15 kg.

Common carp reproductive potential is enormous. A large female may lay up to two millions eggs in one season. The eggs normally are deposited over vegetation to which they adhere.

Carp are usually mature after about 2 years and a weigh of 2 to 3 kg.  Growth rate is high in the tropics where the fish can reach a weight of 400 to 500 g in 6 months.

Common carp are found in slow-moving or still waters ranging from streams and ponds to large rivers and lakes. They can be found over all substrates but prefer shallow water with soft substrates for feeding.
Freshwater fish of common carp