Carp

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Carp
Common carp, Cyprinus carpio
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae
Genera
Abramis Aristichthys Barbodes Carassius Cirrhinus Ctenopharyngodon Cyprinus Epalzeorhynchos Henicorhynchus Hypophthalmichthys Labeo Mylopharyngodon and others

Carp is a common name for various species of an oily^[1] freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. 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.

Contents 1 Aquaculture 2 As ornamental fish 3 As sport fish 4 Types of carp 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Aquaculture

Carp are an important freshwater food fish. In areas that are distant from the sea, carp are often the most common fish eaten; although the prevalence of inexpensive frozen fish products have made them less important now than in the past.

Various species of carp have been domesticated and reared as food fish across Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have been domesticated independently in different parts of the world, as the various domesticated carp species are native to different parts of Eurasia. For example, the Common carp Cyprinus carpio are originally from Central Europe.^[2] Several carp species (collectively known as Asian carps) were originally 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 carps. The ability of carp to survive and adapt to many climates and water conditions have allowed the various domesticated carp species to be propagated all around the world, far from their place of origin.

[edit] As ornamental fish

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 degrees Celsius), 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 now found in various colors, color patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original domesticated 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 culled for color. The common carp was introduced from China to Japan, where selective breeding of the common carp in the 1820's in the Niigata region resulted in koi.^[3] In Japanese culture, koi are a symbol of affections, and also of good luck. They are also popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond fish.

[edit] As sport fish

This section needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (June 2009)

Carp are similarly variable in terms of angling value. In Europe, even when not fished for food, they are eagerly sought out by anglers, being considered highly prized coarse fish that are difficult to hook.^[4] In the United States, the carp is also classified as a rough fish as well as damaging 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^[5] and American Carp Society^[6] 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. The American Carp Society held a tournament in March of 2006 in Austin, Texas that paid out $275,000 to the winners.

C.A.R.P. (Catch and Release Professionals) Tournament Series ^[7] is a growing angling circuit in the United States. One of its most successful events is the Northeast Regional tournament held annually in Baldwinsville, New York since 2007. In 2007, 34 two-person teams combined hauled in over 14 tons of 10+ pound carp during the 50 consecutive hour event. In 2008, 41 teams hauled in over 18 tons of carp, and in 2009 there were 43 teams hauling in over 16 tons of carp. No other carp tournament in the world produces such a high volume of fish on such a consistent basis. More information on this one-of-a-kind event can be found at www.cnycarp.com ^[8].

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 'advanced carp fishing', 'carpworld' and 'TotalCarp'. The sport is well respected across the continent of Europe and has spawned carp angling holiday companies and a multi million pound market. Leaders in the manufacture of Carp angling equipment include Fox International ^[9], Shimano ^[10] and Daiwa ^[11]. In New Zealand Koi Carp are regarded as noxious fish, and while recreational fishing is permitted in some areas, koi must be killed when caught.^[12]

[edit] Types of carp

• Genus Abramis
  • Carp bream (Abramis brama)
• Genus Barbodes:
  • Carnatic carp (Barbodes carnaticus)
• Genus Carassius:
  • Crucian carp (Carassius carassius )
  • Prussian carp or Gibel carp (Carassius gibelio)
  • Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
• Genus Cirrhinus:
  • Chinese mud carp (Cirrhinus chinensis)
  • Deccan white carp (Cirrhinus fulungee)
  • Hora white carp (Cirrhinus macrops)
  • Small scale mud carp (Cirrhinus microlepis)
  • Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella)
  • Man carp (Cirrhinus saprian)
• Genus Ctenopharyngodon:
  • Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
• Genus Culter:
  • Predatory carp (Culter erythropterus)
• Genus Cyprinus:
  • Common carp, European carp, Koi (Cyprinus carpio)
• Genus Epalzeorhynchos:
  • Red-tailed black shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor)
  • Red-finned black shark or Rainbow shark (Epalzeorhynchos frenatus)
• Genus Henicorhynchus:
  • Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis)
• Genus Hypophthalmichthys:
  • Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
  • Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
• Genus Labeo:
  • African carp (Labeo coubie)
  • Fringed-lipped peninsula carp (Labeo fimbriatus)
  • Bigmouth carp (Labeo kontius)
• Genus Mylopharyngodon:
  • Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)
• Genus Tinca:
  • Tench (Tinca tinca)

[edit] See also

Look up carp in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cyprinus carpio

• Oily fish
• Grass carp
• Rough fish

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Carp Lakes in the Uk and France