Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio · Fish, vertebrate, cold-blooded, wild
Animal Family
Family Cyprinidae, order Cypriniformes, class Actinopterygii
Animal Category
Freshwater Animal
Breed / Variety
Wild type Cyprinus carpio, though many domesticated varieties like Koi exist
Conservation Status
Least Concern globally, though considered a major invasive species in many non-native regions like North America and Australia
About This Creature
Large-bodied freshwater fish with a robust, elongated, and slightly compressed body, typically measuring 40 to 80 cm and weighing between 2 to 14 kg or more, featuring large scales and barbels near the mouth
Physical Characteristics
Torpedo-shaped body with olive-green to brownish-gold back and sides, fading to yellowish-white below; dorsal fin is long with a serrated spine, and the mouth is protrusible with two pairs of barbels
Behavior & Temperament
Gregarious and social, forming schools in deeper water; bottom-feeders that stir up sediment, highly adaptable and resilient to low oxygen levels
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia, introduced worldwide
Habitat
Freshwater lakes, rivers, and slow-moving streams; aquatic and benthic
Diet & Nutrition
Omnivorous, feeding on benthic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic vegetation by rooting through the mud
Lifespan & Health
Lifespan can exceed 20 years in the wild, up to 40 or more in captivity; susceptible to various parasites and viral diseases like koi herpesvirus
Special Characteristics
Known for their strength as sport fish, exceptional longevity, and ability to survive in heavily polluted or low-oxygen waters
Ecological Information
Acts as a bioturbator by uprooting aquatic plants and stirring up sediment, which increases water turbidity and impacts native fish and plant communities