Carp
Encyclopedia
Carp are various species of oily
freshwater fish
of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes (family Cyprinidae) are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes
, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes
to create the superorder Ostariophysi
, since these groups have certain common features, such as being found predominantly in fresh water and that they possess Weberian ossicles (an anatomical structure originally made up of small pieces of bone formed from four or five of the first vertebrae); the most anterior bony pair is in contact with the extension of the labyrinth and the posterior with the swimbladder. The function is poorly understood, but this structure is presumed to take part in the transmission of vibrations from the swimbladder to the labyrinth and in the perception of sound, which would explain why the Ostariophysi have such a great capacity for hearing.
Most cypriniformes have scales and teeth on the inferior pharyngeal bones which may be modified in relation to the diet. Tribolodon
is the only cyprinid genus which tolerates salt water, although there are several species which move into brackish water, but return to fresh water to spawn. All of the other cypriniformes live in continental waters and have a wide geographical range.
Some consider all cyprinid fishes carp, and the family Cyprinidae itself is often known as the carp family. In colloquial use, however, carp usually refers only to several larger cyprinid species such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp), Carassius carassius (Crucian carp), Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp), Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp), and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp). Carp have long been an important food fish to humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes such as the various goldfish
breeds and the domesticated common carp variety known as koi
. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are listed as invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and worldwide large sums of money are spent on carp control.
as food fish across Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have been domesticated independently, as the various domesticated carp species are native to different parts of Eurasia
. For example, the common carp
, Cyprinus carpio, is originally from Central Europe. Several carp species (collectively known as Asian carp
) were domesticated in East Asia
. Carp that are originally from South Asia
, for example catla
(Gibelion catla), rohu
(Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), are known as Indian carp
. Their hardiness and adaptability have allowed domesticated species to be propagated all around the world.
Although the carp was an important aquatic food item, as more fish species have become readily available for the table, the importance of carp culture in Western Europe
has become less important. Demand has declined, partly due to the appearance of more desirable table fish such as trout
and salmon
through intensive farming, and environmental constraints. However, fish production in ponds is still a major form of aquaculture in Central and Eastern Europe, including the Russian Federation, where most of the production comes from low or intermediate-intensity ponds. In Asia, the farming of carp continues to surpass the total amount of farmed fish volume of intensively sea-farmed species, such as salmon and tuna
.
Carp, along with many of their cyprinid
relatives, are popular ornamental aquarium and pond fish. The two most notable ornamental carps are goldfish
and koi
. Goldfish and koi have advantages over most other ornamental fishes, in that they are tolerant of cold (they can survive in water temperatures as low as 4°C), can survive at low oxygen levels, and can tolerate low water quality.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were originally domesticated from the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), a dark greyish-brown carp native to Asia. They were first bred for color in China over a thousand years ago. Due to selective breeding, goldfish have been developed into many distinct breeds, and are found in various colors, color patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original carp. Goldfish were kept as ornamental fish in China
for hundreds of years before being introduced to Japan
in the 15th century, and to Europe
in the late 17th century.
Koi are a domesticated variety of common carp
(Cyprinus carpio) that have been selectively bred for color. The common carp was introduced from China to Japan, where selective breeding of the common carp in the 1820s in the Niigata region resulted in koi. In Japanese culture, koi are treated with affection, and seen as good luck. They are popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond fish.
Izaak Walton
said about carp in The Compleat Angler, "The Carp is the queen of rivers; a stately, a good, and a very subtle fish; that was not at first bred, nor hath been long in England, but is now naturalised."
Carp are variable in terms of angling
value.
Oily fish
Oily fish have oil in their tissues and in the belly cavity around the gut. Their fillets contain up to 30 percent oil, although this figure varies both within and between species...
freshwater fish
Freshwater fish
Freshwater fish are fish that spend some or all of their lives in freshwater, such as rivers and lakes, with a salinity of less than 0.05%. These environments differ from marine conditions in many ways, the most obvious being the difference in levels of salinity...
of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes (family Cyprinidae) are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes
Characiformes
The Characiformes are an order of ray-finned fish, comprising the characins and their allies. Grouped in 18 recognized families, there are a few thousand different species, including the well-known piranha and tetras.-Taxonomy:...
, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes
Gymnotiformes
The Gymnotiformes are a group of teleost bony fishes commonly known as the Neotropical or South American knifefishes. They have long bodies and swim using undulations of their elongated anal fin...
to create the superorder Ostariophysi
Ostariophysi
Ostariophysi is the second-largest superorder of fish. Members of this superorder are called ostariophysians. This diverse group contains almost 8,000 species, about 28% of known fish species in the world and 68% of freshwater species, and are present on all major continents except Antarctica...
, since these groups have certain common features, such as being found predominantly in fresh water and that they possess Weberian ossicles (an anatomical structure originally made up of small pieces of bone formed from four or five of the first vertebrae); the most anterior bony pair is in contact with the extension of the labyrinth and the posterior with the swimbladder. The function is poorly understood, but this structure is presumed to take part in the transmission of vibrations from the swimbladder to the labyrinth and in the perception of sound, which would explain why the Ostariophysi have such a great capacity for hearing.
Most cypriniformes have scales and teeth on the inferior pharyngeal bones which may be modified in relation to the diet. Tribolodon
Tribolodon
Tribolodon is a genus of cyprinid fishes found in marine and freshwater in Eastern Asia. There are currently four described species in this genus.-Species:* Tribolodon brandtii...
is the only cyprinid genus which tolerates salt water, although there are several species which move into brackish water, but return to fresh water to spawn. All of the other cypriniformes live in continental waters and have a wide geographical range.
Some consider all cyprinid fishes carp, and the family Cyprinidae itself is often known as the carp family. In colloquial use, however, carp usually refers only to several larger cyprinid species such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp), Carassius carassius (Crucian carp), Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp), Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp), and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp). Carp have long been an important food fish to humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes such as the various goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
breeds and the domesticated common carp variety known as koi
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are listed as invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and worldwide large sums of money are spent on carp control.
Aquaculture
Various species of carp have been domesticated and rearedFish farming
Fish farming is the principal form of aquaculture, while other methods may fall under mariculture. Fish farming involves raising fish commercially in tanks or enclosures, usually for food. A facility that releases young fish into the wild for recreational fishing or to supplement a species'...
as food fish across Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have been domesticated independently, as the various domesticated carp species are native to different parts of Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
. For example, the common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
, Cyprinus carpio, is originally from Central Europe. Several carp species (collectively known as Asian carp
Asian carp
Many species of heavy-bodied cyprinid fish are collectively known in the United States as Asian carp. Cyprinids from the subcontinent [for example, catla and mrigal ] are not included in this classification, and are known collectively as "Indian carp".Eight Asian carp have been substantially...
) were domesticated in East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
. Carp that are originally from South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, for example catla
Catla
Catla catla, , also known as Indian Carp, is the only member of the genus Catla, of the carp family Cyprinidae. It is a fish with a large protruding lower jaw. It is commonly found in rivers and freshwater lakes in India , Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan...
(Gibelion catla), rohu
Rohu
Rohi or Rohu is a fish of the carp family Cyprinidae, found commonly in rivers and freshwater lakes in and around South Asia and South-East Asia. It is a herbivore. It is treated as a delicacy in Bangladesh, Nepal and the Indian states of Orissa, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh...
(Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), are known as Indian carp
Indian Carp
Indian carp is a generic term used in aquaculture to refer to:*Catla catla*Cirrhinus cirrhosus*Labeo rohita...
. Their hardiness and adaptability have allowed domesticated species to be propagated all around the world.
Although the carp was an important aquatic food item, as more fish species have become readily available for the table, the importance of carp culture in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
has become less important. Demand has declined, partly due to the appearance of more desirable table fish such as trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
and salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
through intensive farming, and environmental constraints. However, fish production in ponds is still a major form of aquaculture in Central and Eastern Europe, including the Russian Federation, where most of the production comes from low or intermediate-intensity ponds. In Asia, the farming of carp continues to surpass the total amount of farmed fish volume of intensively sea-farmed species, such as salmon and tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
.
As ornamental fish
Cyprinid
The family Cyprinidae, from the Ancient Greek kyprînos , consists of the carps, the true minnows, and their relatives . Commonly called the carp family or the minnow family, its members are also known as cyprinids...
relatives, are popular ornamental aquarium and pond fish. The two most notable ornamental carps are goldfish
Goldfish
The goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
and koi
Koi
or more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
. Goldfish and koi have advantages over most other ornamental fishes, in that they are tolerant of cold (they can survive in water temperatures as low as 4°C), can survive at low oxygen levels, and can tolerate low water quality.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
for hundreds of years before being introduced to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in the 15th century, and to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the late 17th century.
Koi are a domesticated variety of common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
(Cyprinus carpio) that have been selectively bred for color. The common carp was introduced from China to Japan, where selective breeding of the common carp in the 1820s in the Niigata region resulted in koi. In Japanese culture, koi are treated with affection, and seen as good luck. They are popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond fish.
As sport fish
Izaak Walton
Izaak Walton was an English writer. Best known as the author of The Compleat Angler, he also wrote a number of short biographies which have been collected under the title of Walton's Lives.-Biography:...
said about carp in The Compleat Angler, "The Carp is the queen of rivers; a stately, a good, and a very subtle fish; that was not at first bred, nor hath been long in England, but is now naturalised."
Carp are variable in terms of angling
Angling
Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself...
value.
- In Europe, even when not fished for food, they are eagerly sought by anglers, being considered highly prized coarse fish that are difficult to hook. The UK has a thriving carp angling market. It is the fastest growing angling market in the UK, and has spawned a number of specialised carp angling publications such as 'Carpology', 'advanced carp fishing', 'carpworld', 'TotalCarp' and karper, and many informative carp angling web sites, such as Carpfishing UK and Carpit
- In the United States, carp are also classified as a rough fishRough fishRough fish is a term used by U.S. state agencies and U.S. anglers to describe fish that are less desirable to sport anglers within a limited region. The term usually refers to larger fish species that are not commonly eaten, are too rare to be commonly encountered, or are not sought after by...
, as well as damaging to naturalized exotic species, but with sporting qualities. Many states' departments of natural resources are beginning to view the carp as an angling fish instead of a maligned pest. Groups such as the Carp Anglers Group and American Carp Society promote the sport and work with fisheries departments to organize events to introduce and expose others to the unique opportunity the carp offers freshwater anglers.
As Christmas dish
A Christmas carp is specific to Central European region. Since Middle Ages, people have eaten it during fasting, because just as other fish, carp were not considered as meat. Breeding carp has been one of the traditional sectors of agriculture in Central Europe, especially in the Czech Republic, making them affordable even to people with low income. Some sources date having carp on Christmas tables already in 17th century, but it became widely consumed later during 19th century. Though young people in particular substitute carp with other kinds of fish, such as cod or salmon, it has certainly became a symbol of a Czech Christmas.Types of carp
- Genus Abramis
- Common breamCommon breamThe common bream, freshwater bream, bream, bronze bream or carp bream, Abramis brama, is a European species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae....
or carp bream (Abramis brama)
- Common bream
- Genus BarbodesBarbodesBarbodes is a genus of cyprinid fish, consisting of 11 species. The name is derived from the Latin word barbus, meaning "barbel", and the Greek word oides, meaning "similar to".- Species :* Barbodes belinka...
:- Carnatic carpCarnatic CarpThe Carnatic carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Barbodes....
(Barbodes carnaticus)
- Carnatic carp
- Genus CarassiusCarassiusCarassius is a genus in the ray-finned fish family Cyprinidae. The species in this genus are commonly known as Crucian carps, though this term often specifically refers to C. carassius. The most well known is the goldfish , which was bred from the Prussian carp...
:- Crucian carpCrucian carpThe crucian carp is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish, such as the common carp, or the smaller minnows. They inhabit lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers throughout Europe and Asia. The crucian is a medium-sized cyprinid, which rarely exceeds a weight of over 3.3...
(Carassius carassius ) - Prussian carpPrussian carpThe Prussian carp, silver Prussian carp or Gibel carp , is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish, such as the common carp, and the smaller minnows...
or Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio) - GoldfishGoldfishThe goldfish is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish....
(Carassius auratus)
- Crucian carp
- Genus CirrhinusCirrhinusCirrhinus is a genus of cyprinid fish found in Asia.- Species :* Cirrhinus caudimaculatus * Cirrhinus cirrhosus * Cirrhinus fulungee...
:- Chinese mud carpChinese Mud CarpChinese mud carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus.-Description:Chinese mud carp are mainly distributed in Pearl River, Min River in People's Republic of China and Red River in Vietnam....
(Cirrhinus chinensis) - Deccan white carpDeccan White CarpThe deccan white carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus....
(Cirrhinus fulungee) - Hora white carpHora White CarpHora White Carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus....
(Cirrhinus macrops) - Small-scale mud carp (Cirrhinus microlepis)
- Mud carpMud CarpThe mud carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Cirrhinus....
(Cirrhinus molitorella) - Man carp (Cirrhinus saprian)
- Chinese mud carp
- Genus Ctenopharyngodon:
- Grass carpGrass carpThe grass carp is a herbivorous, freshwater fish species of family Cyprinidae, and the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control...
(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
- Grass carp
- Genus CulterCulter (genus)Culter is a genus of cyprinid fish, consisting of five species. The name is derived from the Latin word culter, meaning "knife".- Species :* Culter alburnus Basilewsky, 1855* Culter flavipinnis Tirant, 1883...
:- Predatory carpPredatory CarpThe predatory carp is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Chanodichthys....
(Culter erythropterus)
- Predatory carp
- Genus CyprinusCyprinusCyprinus is the genus of typical carps in family Cyprinidae. They are of East Asian origin and closely related to some more barb-like genera, such Cyclocheilichthys and the recently-established Barbonymus . The crucian carps of western Eurasia, which include the goldfish Cyprinus is the genus of...
:- Common carpCommon carpThe Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
, European carp, koiKoior more specifically , are ornamental varieties of domesticated common carp that are kept for decorative purposes in outdoor koi ponds or water gardens....
(Cyprinus carpio)
- Common carp
- Genus EpalzeorhynchosEpalzeorhynchosEpalzeorhynchos is a small ray-finned fish genus of the family Cyprinidae. Its members are – like some other cyprinids – known as "freshwater sharks" or simply "sharks". They are, however, freshwater members of the Osteichthyes lineage which is distinct from the Chondrichthyes lineage...
:- Red-tailed black sharkRed-tailed black sharkThe red-tailed black shark , also known as the redtail shark and Labeo bicolor, is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family, Cyprinidae...
(Epalzeorhynchos bicolor) - Rainbow sharkRainbow sharkThe rainbow shark, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, is a popular freshwater community-tank aquarium fish of the Cyprinidae family. It is also variously known as the ruby shark, red-fin shark, red-finned shark, rainbow sharkminnow, green fringelip labeo, whitefin shark and whitetail sharkminnow...
or red-finned black shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatus)
- Red-tailed black shark
- Genus HenicorhynchusHenicorhynchusHenicorhynchus is a genus of cyprinid fish that occurs in Southeast Asia with one species extending into China. There are currently four species in this genus.-Species:* Henicorhynchus lineatus...
:- Siamese mud carpSiamese mud carpThe Siamese mud carp is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to the Mekong river in Southeast Asia, and especially present in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand...
(Henicorhynchus siamensis)
- Siamese mud carp
- Genus HypophthalmichthysHypophthalmichthysHypophthalmichthys is a genus of cyprinid fish consisting of three species. The name comes from Greek , "below"; , "eye"; , "fish", thus "fish with eyes below", referring to the fact that the fish has its eyes below the mouth line.They are also known as bighead carp, though that term is also...
:- Bighead carpBighead carpThe bighead carp is a freshwater fish, one of several Asian carps. It has a large, scaleless head, a large mouth, and eyes located very low on the head. Adults usually have a mottled silver-gray coloration. Adults can be quite large...
(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) - Silver carpSilver carpThe silver carp is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to north and northeast Asia. It is cultivated in China....
(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
- Bighead carp
- Genus LabeoLabeoLabeo is a genus of carps in the family Cyprinidae. They are found mainly in the Old World tropics.It contains the typical labeos in the subfamily Labeoninae, which may not be a valid group, however, and is often included in the Cyprininae as tribe Labeonini...
:- African carpLabeo coubieThe African carp is a cyprinid fish, widespread in Africa, where it occurs within the drainage basin of the Nile and in the Chad, Niger-Benue, Volta, Senegal and Gambia Rivers, as well as the Cross River and Cameroon coastal rivers. Furthermore, it is also known from East Africa and the middle...
(Labeo coubieLabeo coubieThe African carp is a cyprinid fish, widespread in Africa, where it occurs within the drainage basin of the Nile and in the Chad, Niger-Benue, Volta, Senegal and Gambia Rivers, as well as the Cross River and Cameroon coastal rivers. Furthermore, it is also known from East Africa and the middle...
) - Fringed-lipped peninsula carpFringed-lipped Peninsula CarpThe fringed-lipped peninsula carp is a cyprinid fish in genus Labeo....
(Labeo fimbriatus) - Pigmouth carp (Labeo kontius)
- African carp
- Genus Mylopharyngodon:
- Black carpBlack carpThe black carp is a species of cyprinid fish indigenous to China, and widely cultivated for food and Chinese medicine. It is the sole species of the genus Mylopharyngodon. The black carp grows to a length of up to three feet , and over 70 pounds , generally feeding on snails and mussels...
(Mylopharyngodon piceus)
- Black carp
External links
- Langridge, John, Aphrodite's Carp, The Medlar Press, 2006