Carp are a family of freshwater fish native to Europe and Asia. They are edible in many parts of the world.
In some areas, however, they are considered invasive species. Learn more about the various types of carp, including the Common carp, Crucian carp, and Amur carp.
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Common carp
Common carp (Eurasian carp) is a freshwater fish that lives in eutrophic lakes and rivers in Asia. The common carp is a common sight in lakes and rivers and are popular aquarium fish.
They can grow up to six feet long. They are also popular food items.
Common carp have golden-yellow bodies, barbels on their upper jaws, and a sizeable mesh-like pattern on their bodies.
Their mouths are shaped like suckers, and they can grow large if provided enough space.
However, common carp can also be extremely destructive to aquatic environments.
Common carp are widely distributed, and they are the second most studied fish species in the scientific literature.
They destroy native ecosystems by uprooting aquatic plants and stirring up fine sediment. They are also known for causing damage to other species, such as goldfish.
Crucian carp
The Crucian carp is a medium-sized member of the family Cyprinidae. It is found widely throughout northern Europe.
Its name is derived from the Low German karusse and the Medieval Latin coracinus. Its name translates roughly as “red-spotted carp.”
The production of crucian carp has declined in recent years in China and Taiwan Province. This is likely due to changes in consumer demand.
The fish are known for their large inter-muscular bones, which may make them more attractive to modern consumers.
Some researchers are working to improve the nutritional value of the fish by developing compound feeds. These feeds are usually pelleted.
Crucian Carp are easily identified by their unusual appearance.
Their dorsal fin is disproportionately long, paired with well-rounded pelvic fins. They have small eyes and mouths and grow to a length of eight to fifteen inches.
When threatened, they change shape, forming a disc-like body shape. In this way, they can evade being eaten by zander and pike.
Amur carp
The Amur carp is a freshwater fish that lives in the eutrophic waters of large rivers and lakes in Asia. Traditionally, this species was called the common carp.
It is a popular sport fish in many regions of Asia. This fish is a good example of a freshwater fish in many regions.
The Amur carp is native to China, Laos, and Vietnam and has been introduced to other areas.
This fish has a muddy flavor, which makes it unpalatable to eat raw. The fish is usually consumed as stew and is used to make soups.
White amur was first imported to the United States in 1963 to control algae in lakes and ponds.
However, its use was restricted until the 1980s due to concerns about the impact of this exotic fish on native ecosystems.
Sterile triploid amur carp was developed and did not reproduce to address this issue. These triploids were then stocked in lakes and private ponds.
Amur carp variation
The Amur carp is a common carp variation native to China, Vietnam, and Laos. It was previously considered a subspecies of common carp but has now been reclassified as a separate species.
In China, Amur carp are often sold as Koi. This variety of carp is distinguished from common carp by its spectacular scale pattern. This carp is bred in captivity and is popular for making attractive decorative fish.
The smallest genetic distances were among the Ropsha, Biharugra, Hortobagy, and Hajduszoboszlo scaly strains.
The distances between these strains could be explained by geographic distance. However, the NJ phylogenetic tree does not support geographical grouping among common carp.
However, differences in phenotypes and the geographical location of these strains may contribute to the observed genetic distance.
Genetic variation in common carp strains has been documented before. Researchers in Hungary found that the Amur carp strains differ in at least one locus in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Other studies have also reported similar results.
Grass carp variation
A recent study examined genetic variation among grass carp from three major watersheds in China.
It found that grass carp have high variation in several genomic regions. The karyotype of grass carp differs significantly from that of zebrafish, which has an all-autosome genome.
Instead, grass carp have differential X and Y chromosomes. Genetic analysis of grass carp genomes revealed that the male and female grass carp have different genome sequences.
This difference could help to better understand the sex-determination process of this fish.
Grass carp reproduce by spawning at the surface of the water. Flow rate and temperature trigger the spawning process.
The semi-buoyant eggs are carried down the river by current and develop. The eggs usually drift for up to thirty-100 miles before hatching.
Female grass carp lay around 500,000 eggs per brood. Their fecundity increases with age. However, many eggs are lost in the process of hatching due to suffocation, disease, and predation.
The eggshell of a grass carp is double-layered.
The yolk separates from the membrane when it fertilizes. It also contains two distinct types of cells, one that is triploid and the other diploid. The eggs are grayish-blue or orange in color.
Amur carp native range
The Amur carp native range covers the eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean, including the Pearl River basin in China and far eastern Russia.
These carp have been introduced into the United States for aquaculture and as food sources in fish farms. They have also been introduced in private lakes for weed control.
The muddied Amur carp’s bony taste makes it difficult for humans to eat, but they have been bred for the food market outside their native range.
They grow for at least 15 years and are best suited to ponds with little vegetation. They can easily consume as much as five to fifteen percent of the water in a pond.
The Amur carp’s spawn is triggered by temperature and flow rates. The eggs are laid in the water column, drifting about 30 miles before hatching.
Females lay approximately 500,000 eggs per brood, and their fecundity increases with age. However, most eggs do not survive due to disease, suffocation, or predation.
Grass carp invasive range
Grass carp are an invasive species found in several parts of the world.
This species was initially used for aquaculture in some countries but has since become an important sport fishery in many other countries.
The species is extremely adaptable and requires a warm climate and flowing water to survive.
These large freshwater fish are native to East Asia and are native to large rivers and lakes.
They have been introduced in many countries, including the U.S., with breeding populations occurring in at least 45 states.
Grass carp are now found in many water bodies, including lakes, streams, ponds, and lakes.
Grass carp spawn in large, turbid rivers.
In China, this occurrence coincides with high-flow events. This is probably an adaptive feature of the species, as the eggs must stay suspended in the water column before hatching.
Koi variation
A Koi is a type of carp with red or white markings that run along its body. A good Showa has a strong definition of markings, and there are variations of Showa, such as Sanke.
Sanke carp have a black base with a white head and are often mistaken for Showa. Both varieties have black skin with red or white patterns that wrap around the body. There are seven major types of Showa.
The oldest koi variety is the Kohaku. This type features a white base with a red pattern. The red patterns should be clean and deep, which shows high quality.
The different Kohaku variations have different patterns, such as zig-zag, two-step, and four-step. Other varieties include Gin Rin and Doitsu.
Various colors make a Kohaku look more beautiful. For instance, a Kohaku Koi can have a red base, a redhead, and a white fin.
However, a Sanke should not be yellow, and its black fins should be crisp. Another type of Kohaku with a white base and red and black fins is the Tancho Kohaku. The Gin Rin variety has heart and oval markings.