Carp
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 Bighead carp
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Genera
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| Abramis Aristichthys Barbodes Carassius Cirrhinus Ctenopharyngodon Cyprinus Epalzeorhynchos Henicorhynchus Hypophthalmichthys Labeo Mylopharyngodon and others |
A carp is any of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the most common and best-known species of carp.
Introduction of carp to North America
Carp were introduced to England from western Europe during the 13th century, when they were cultivated mainly by monks. They were subsequently introduced into North America to great fanfare as "the world's finest fish" in 1877. The original shipment of 345 live fish were released in ponds in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland. Later, surplus populations were released in Babcock Lakes in Monument Park in Washington D.C.. This was a project of Rudolf Hessel, a fish culturist in the employ of the United States Government. There was substantial favorable publicity and carp were widely introduced throughout the United States. Introduced Carp readily adapted to their new environment, spreading rapidly throughout any drainage area they were released in.
Separating the Carp's reputed impacts from its actual impacts can be difficult. There is little evidence yet to support the claims of Carp eating the spawn of other fish. Tales of Carp muddying waters and destroying water weed through their bottom-grubbing feeding habits however are often accurate . Such raised turbidity may have serious impacts on aquatic ecosystems and submergent macrophytes ("water weed"), and loss of submergent macrophytes may also have serious effects on fish and invertebrate species reliant on them for habitat. In Australia, where the dominant Carp strain was illegally introduced, there is overwhelming anecdotal evidence and mounting scientific evidence that Carp do indeed raise water turbidity, destroy a number of submergent macrophyte species, and consequently seriously impact upon aquatic ecosystems and native fish species dependent upon those submergent macrophytes.
While tasty when grown in good water, carp can be riddled with small bones in unpredictable locations. Most carp have a fishy taste and are not considered to be good for eating in North America, although they are popular in restaurants in Japan and Taiwan where the fish are also considered to be signs of good fortune. Carp is a traditional Christmas Eve dish in the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland.
Despite having food and angling value that is celebrated in most parts of the world, in North America, Carp are viewed unfavorably. In Australia Carp are despised.
Carp have taken much of the blame for the loss of native species in the U.S. It can be argued that US native fish populations were suffering even before introduction of carp. Over pressured freshwater fisheries are suggested as the reason why carp were originally stocked in the US. However, all introduced species have negative impacts on native fauna, particularly species like Carp that achieve high densities, and the introduction of non-native species for frivolous reasons such as sport fishing should not be encouraged or excused.
Carp have an ability to survive in water that has been polluted by years of unregulated industrial discharge better than many sensitive native species. Carp extermination practices often take place, such as poisoning all fish in the lake then later re-introducing "desirable" fish. Because of the carp's hardiness, these efforts have been historically unsuccessful.
The carp has not yet gained gamefish status in the U.S.; however, the carp is one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish to be found in the world. Europe in particular enjoys carp as a top angling resource. U.S. opinions may soon change due to new events and organizations that celebrate carp as a game fish. In 2005, the World Carp Championships are being held on the Saint Lawrence River in New York state. Teams from all over the world will compete in this 5 day tournament with the additional bonus of a $1,000,000 payout if any of the competitors breaks the New York state record of 50lb 4oz. But that being said, $1,000,000 is a drop in the bucket compared with the tax dollars spent to remove or reduce the numbers of this invasive fish.
Types of carp
- Genus Abramis
- Carp bream (Abramis brama)
- Genus Aristichthys:
- Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)
- Genus Barbodes:
- Carnatic carp (Barbodes carnaticus)
- Genus Carassius:
- Crucian carp (Carassius carassius )
- Prussian 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)
- Genus Ctenopharyngodon:
- Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)
- Genus Culter:
- Predatory carp (Culter erythropterus)
- Genus Cyprinus:
- Common 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:
- Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)
- Genus Labeo:
- African carp (Labeo coubie)
- Fringed-lipped peninsula carp (Labeo fimbriatus)
- Pigmouth carp (Labeo kontius)
- Genus Mylopharyngodon:
- Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)