karper

Karper is the Dutch name for the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae. Native to central Eurasia, it has been widely introduced to rivers, lakes, and ponds around the world for food production and sport fishing, and has become naturalized in many regions.

Karper have a robust, laterally compressed body with a broad head, large scales, and a subterminal mouth equipped with barbels. They commonly reach lengths of 40–60 cm in the wild, with some individuals exceeding 1 meter and weights over 20–40 kg in favorable conditions. Coloration ranges from bronze to olive, with a dark back and lighter flanks; domesticated forms may show a variety of ornamental colors and patterns.

They inhabit still or slow-flowing waters with abundant vegetation. As omnivores, they feed on aquatic plants, seeds, and small invertebrates, foraging along the bottom. Spawning occurs in spring when water temperatures rise, with fish aggregating in dense vegetation to release eggs and fertilize them externally. Eggs and fry require well-oxygenated water and suitable habitat to develop.

Karper is of major importance for commercial and recreational fisheries and is widely farmed in aquaculture. In addition to the food fish, domesticated varieties include koi and mirror carp. Because of their hardiness and broad ecological tolerance, common carp can become invasive in non-native habitats, displacing native species and altering ecosystems; management often focuses on habitat modification and population control.