carp

Carp are freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family Cyprinidae, encompassing many species commonly referred to as carps. The best known is the common carp (Cyprinus carpio), native to Europe and Asia but introduced worldwide for food, sport, and ornamental purposes. Other carp species include mirror carp, leather carp, and crucian carp.

Carp typically have a robust body, a pair of barbels around the mouth, and a long dorsal fin. Common carp are large and deep-bodied, often with relatively large scales; mirror and leather carp show irregular scale patterns or few scales, reflecting selective breeding for aquaculture and ornamental use.

They inhabit rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and are adaptable to a range of conditions, including turbid waters with varying oxygen levels. Carp are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, seeds, invertebrates, and detritus, often foraging near the bottom and stirring sediments as they feed.

Reproduction takes place in spring or early summer when water temperatures rise. Spawning involves external fertilization with eggs that adhere to vegetation or submerged substrates. There is typically little parental care after spawning.

Economically, carp are significant as a major food fish in many regions and are widely cultivated in aquaculture. In some ecosystems, introduced carp can become invasive, competing with native species and altering habitats through feeding and sediment disturbance. Ornamental varieties, such as koi, are domesticated forms kept in garden ponds for display.