Carp fish: where it lives, is found, habitat, size and weight

Carp – a fish from the genus of ray-finned fish, an order of the carp family, it has a yellow-green or brown color, although the body shade varies depending on the habitat. The body shape is elongated, which is covered with large scales with a golden-brown tint.

The head of the carp is large with a retractable mouth, on the upper lip of which there are two pairs of whiskers. The dorsal fin has a small notch and is quite long, and the anal fin is short, but both of them have a spiny, jagged ray. The back of the carp is dark, and the sides have a golden color.

The population of this species has a variety of mirror carp, which has virtually no scales, as a result of which it received the name “naked”. The middle (in the area of the dorsal and pectoral fin), caudal and near-fin parts of the body are covered in small areas, but in these places the scales are larger than those of the normal species.

Life expectancy reaches 30 years, and the weight of the fish by this age can reach 50 kilograms. This rapid weight gain is facilitated by the unique “gastric-free” structure of the digestive system and omnivorousness, which, given a favorable habitat, allows the fish to feed almost continuously.

Spawning

Carp reaches the ability to reproduce at 3 years of age, in the presence of heated water with a temperature of 15-20 degrees. In this regard, their spawning period begins later than that of other fish, approximately from the last days of April until June. This does not prevent the process from taking place noisily and violently, for which well-heated shallow water with the presence of overgrown algae is selected. These areas can be river floods, water meadows, coastal reeds; cases of spawning in those areas where there is too little water cannot be ruled out, as a result of which the spawned carp die when the water level drops.

Carp spawning

With the onset of the first days of spring, as the water warms up to +15°C, the carp leaves its wintering quarters and goes to the floodplain. After a short zhora, the spawning period begins. The breeder carp begins its journey to the spawning grounds, which are sometimes located at a considerable distance from the wintering place. However, this does not bother him. Carp are very hardy. When moving to the spawning ground, it overcomes quite serious obstacles: high dams, small and large junctions, and even small dams.

Carp spawn in batches. First, the spawning area is occupied by small individuals, then medium-sized ones, and finally - trophy ones. Nature allots about 10 days for representatives of each group to spawn, therefore, the whole process should be completed within a month.

The river carp chooses exclusively flowing water bodies for spawning. The pond relative does not make such demands. It can be located among thickets of reeds, in areas clogged with driftwood, brushwood, various stumps, snags, etc.

Habitats

Winter Low reservoir temperatures and oxygen deficiency force carp to migrate in search of warmer places and aerated areas. They can be bottom holes up to 10 m deep, points of confluence of non-freezing springs, areas with thin ice or open water.

Spring Carp chooses a place with coastal aquatic plants in shallow water, at a depth of about 1 m. In this place, it only warms itself, but also feeds. However, some individuals move to a shallower depth of 2-3m. or remain in wintering pits. With the arrival of spawning, fish are found near the shores and at a depth of about 1-2 m.

Summer On summer days, carp are constantly on the move; finding them at this time is not an easy task. It is necessary to take into account a number of points - the presence of snags, wind direction, the presence of aquatic plants, weather conditions.

Autumn During the autumn days, fish carefully fatten up and look for a place to winter.
It is often located at a depth of 1-2m. in search of snails, mollusks and other aquatic life. When cold weather sets in at the end of October - beginning of November, it goes into deep-water holes, but in warm weather it can again go out into shallow water.

Description of varieties

As mentioned above, carp are divided into several types depending on their scaly cover.

Scaly carp

The common or scaly species are considered the closest relatives of the carp. If we compare them with other members of the family, they are famous for their rapid growth and weight gain, their ability to adapt to any conditions, and also to live in shallow ponds where there is stagnant water. In addition, carp are often caught in deep cuts and rivers. As for the scales, they are completely light, evenly covering the entire body. If you look at images of fish, this feature will be especially strongly emphasized.

Mirror carp

It is a popular subspecies of carp that has virtually no scaly covering. German scientists worked on breeding such a hybrid and applied a number of gene changes. The result is a distinctive look with the following characteristics:

The mirror carp has a unique distribution of large scales with a silvery and mirror tint
The fish has a minimal number of rays on its fins.
An individual can gain impressive weight much faster than its close relatives.
The main portion of the diet is occupied by cereals and shellfish. The fish is found in shallow water areas and almost never goes to depth, because it needs access to aerated water.

Also found in nature is another unique species - naked carp. It is also called leathery, which is associated with a distinctive feature in the form of a complete absence of scales on the body. It is also distinguished by its characteristic marsh color or greenish tint. Naked carp are rare inhabitants of water bodies, so catching them is considered a real event for every fisherman.

Karpokaras

It is no secret that in almost every body of water there is a huge population of crucian carp . And in rural regions, this underwater inhabitant is particularly widespread. Due to their high fertility and early maturation, crucian carp quickly reproduce in carp ponds, forcing the latter to feel intense competition. But if the former are distinguished by good resistance to any conditions of detention, including low oxygen levels, then the latter quickly die in such an environment. To create a sterile “sterile” form of this species, ichthyologists had to use the hybridization method.

As a result of crossing a male crucian carp with a female naked carp, scaly and linear subspecies . The linear variety repeats linear carp in almost everything, while carp in the second year of its life already weighs 400-500 grams, and in the third - about 1.5 kilograms. The hybrid is bred mainly for sport and farm fishing, in particular in stagnant reservoirs where there is no possibility of draining water.

If six-year-old female carp produce eggs, then 200-gram crucian carp produce milk using a pituitary injection. In this case, a 2-fold injection dose is used for crucian carp of 1.5−2 mg/kg of individual weight. To fertilize a kilogram of carp caviar, you need about 5-7 ml of crucian carp milk. The fertilization rate is about 100 percent.

Histological studies confirmed the complete sterility of carp carp due to the characteristic features of the reproductive system. It is advisable to breed this variety for sport fishing, which is explained by its attractive presentation, as well as high levels of fish productivity. Hybrids are also famous for their good economic prospects, because they are omnivorous and resistant to unfavorable living conditions. In a short period of time, these hybrid subspecies gain impressive size and weight.

Carp fishing calendar

January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
—	—	—	+	+++	+	+++	+++	+++	+	—	—

January	There is practically no bite due to the lethargy of the fish
February	There is still no bite, there are fish in the wintering pits
March	Passive state due to oxygen deficiency
April	The bite begins to be observed towards the end of the month
May	The catch occurs in shallow water, where the water is well heated
June	During spawning, the fish does not bite, and after it rests
July	Good catch, carp is walking and actively feeding
August	Zhor continues, the chances of a catch are high
September	Gathers in flocks and goes to deeper places
October	Cold days make carp passive
November	The fish is sedentary and sleepy
December	Carp dozes in a wintering hole

Lifestyle and behavior

Young carp gather in schools. Gradually, maturing fish change their lifestyle. They are characterized by small-group and even solitary behavior.

Biological activity of cyprinids is observed from April to October. The feeding peak occurs in June. This is the time when hungry fish, having finished spawning, switch to a round-the-clock mode of eating food.

After hot weather sets in and the water is very hot, individuals can feed only at night. The period of increased nutrition is repeated in August-September, continuing until the last ten days of October.

The goal is to accumulate reserves for the cold season. It is carried out by representatives of cyprinids in large flocks in suspended animation at depth. They wake up when the water warms up to +8…+10 °C in spring.

Finding a fishing spot

With the arrival of early spring, carp must be looked for in small rivers, where they tend to leave ponds and lakes after the winter.

In summer, the habitat of carp depends on weather conditions; during hot days, the fish seeks shelter, preferring darkened areas of the reservoir, and comes out in search of food in cool times - in the late hours or early in the morning.

During cloudy weather, carp feed all day. An important sign in finding a place to catch carp is the high jumping of fish out of the water. Towards the end of autumn, in addition to holes, it prefers shallows, where it can bask under the warm rays of the sun.

Attitudes towards fish in different countries

Carp fishing is extremely popular in Italy because... in this country it is considered the food of lovers.

Poles believe that carp meat helps develop strength and perseverance.

According to the ancient Chinese teachings of Feng Shui, fish symbolizes endurance, determination, perseverance, and contributes to human spiritual development.

In Japan, carp was considered a sign of the strength of the samurai caste.

Fishing methods

Float fishing - at least at an amateur or professional level, requires the presence of a friction brake and an inertia-free reel;

Fishing with a feeder is a more methodical and active method of fishing; it involves pre-feeding a place in the fishing zone, after which the bait with a feeder is thrown into this particular area;

Fishing with a nod is somewhat reminiscent of winter fishing, since a jig and a nod are also involved here.

Carp is a domesticated carp, and due to this, it is practically never found in rivers. The main habitats of this fish are stakes, ponds and lakes, where it was released as a fry. In appearance, carp is similar to crucian carp, only its body is thicker and lower. It has considerable power of caution, and it is not at all easy to catch it.

Weight can reach 25 kg (in fact - more - watch the video) The longest length of an adult fish is 1 m

Carp is a large species of fish that is unpretentious. In the field of fishermen, the species is of significant commercial importance and is highly valued among lovers of fish dishes.

Description

Carp is the most famous and widespread fish in our waters. It is unpretentious and omnivorous, so it is popular among fishermen. And since large specimens up to 10 kg are often found, catching it is a pleasure.

Many people know what carp looks like. This is a large golden-brown fish with a dark back and bright fins. The color and characteristics of the scales depend on the variety, but there are common characteristics. A description and photo of carp fish will allow you to immediately distinguish it from other species.

It has the following features:

large, thick body, elongated in height;
large dense scales;
wide light belly;
a large mouth that extends into a tube;
2 pairs of antennae;
deep-set, golden-green eyes;
dorsal fin elongated, with a notch;
the fins have a sharp, elongated spine;
the body is covered with mucus.

The most common are individuals weighing about 5 kg, measuring 20-40 cm. But there are specimens that reach 50 kg and more than a meter in length. Photos of such large carp can be found on the Internet.

This general description applies to the common carp, the hardiest and most widespread of the species. Its other varieties may differ.

Carp diet

Although carp is an omnivorous fish, it loves plant food more than animal food.

From the first days of spring until the middle of the summer season, the basis of its diet consists of reed shoots, as well as fish and frog eggs. This is partly what explains its absence in areas free of reeds. Thanks to the spring abundance of food, even the hungriest carp reacts weakly to fishing bait thrown at it.

Towards mid-summer, when the reed shoots begin to harden, the carp's diet is replenished with larvae, insects, worms, etc. Large individuals even hunt for molting crayfish. Carp feeds around the clock. With the onset of darkness, it often visits shallow reaches or coastal reeds, appearing here at dusk and leaving these places around the appearance of the sun. You should know all this before catching carp.

In addition to plant and animal food, carp were often caught eating their own young. Large individuals often retrain as predators, hunting for fairly large fish. Thanks to this feature, peaceful carp often become prey for spinners.

Varieties

Due to its unpretentiousness, this fish lends itself well to crossing and lives in captivity. Therefore, several varieties were developed.

Different types of carp may differ in both appearance and habitat.

Mirror carp differs from others in that it has few scales. It is located in groups or stripes. The scales themselves are large and silvery. Prefers oxygenated water and is picky about its diet.
Naked carp have no scales at all and a greenish tint to their skin. Sometimes individuals can be found with separate scales near the tail and along the dorsal fin. This species has weak immunity and is often infected with parasites.
Koi are an ornamental species bred in Japan. It can be red, orange, yellow, blue, with white spots. Now this species is bred for decorative purposes. A photo of a red carp shows that it is beautiful and unusual.

For sport fishing and farm breeding, a hybrid of carp and crucian carp may be of interest. It is more persistent and unpretentious.

Description of carp fish

Carp is nothing more than a cultivated form of river carp. It is distinguished from the latter by darker scales, as well as a wide body and a more pronounced transition from the back to the head. Pond carp are unusually tenacious, hardy and prolific.

To date, three species, along with several subspecies, of pond carp have been bred. The most common of them is scaly carp. In addition to it, there are also naked carp and mirror carp.

The classic carp specimen has a thick, somewhat elongated body of a marsh or brown color (depending on the habitat), which is covered with large, smooth, golden-brown dense scales. It has a large head, large, fleshy lips, above the upper of which there are two pairs of functional antennae.

The mirror carp is distinguished by its unusually large, irregularly positioned scales. Some subspecies are completely devoid of it. In the north and north-west of the Russian Federation, hybrids of Galician carp and Amur carp are often found.

Many reservoirs in the country can boast of the presence of hybrids of carp and crucian carp. They are distinguished from their counterparts by their rather small size. Even in adulthood.

Habitats and habits

Common river carp, also called scaly carp, lives throughout Europe, Siberia and Asia. In the 19th century, it was brought to America, where, due to the lack of natural enemies, it became very widespread. Carp is unpretentious, but does not tolerate the cold. Found in any body of water, even in ponds with stagnant water. Prefers large reservoirs, lakes, large arms, ponds, quarries, reservoirs.

Young individuals gather in flocks, large ones can live alone. This fish prefers water bodies that are well heated by the sun. They should have a muddy bottom and a lot of vegetation, since it is in such places that carp look for food. It is not found in open areas with a sandy bottom where it is impossible to hide. He loves thickets, snags, holes, and dense vegetation.

Carp grows quickly; in one season they can gain up to 500 g of weight. And since its life expectancy is long, it can grow up to 50 kg.

This fish is active in the warm season. Overwinters in holes, under snags, hibernating. It survives the cold well thanks to a thick layer of mucus on the body.

The peculiarity of carp is that it is unpretentious and easily reproduces in captivity. It began to be bred in Ancient China. Carp lived in ponds and were a favorite delicacy of emperors. The extreme fertility of this fish is reflected in the name: “carp” is translated from Greek as “harvest”.

Linear carp

Linear carp Linear
carp have a single row of scales along the lateral line. Any change to this immediately places the carp into a different genetic category. Just like naked carp, line carp have limited growth potential. Both of these species grow slower than mirror and scaly.

Another characteristic of linear and naked carp is their rather intense fat metabolism. They accumulate fat very quickly in the summer, and actively use it up in the winter.

Naked and linear carps have two rows of pharyngeal teeth, while other species have three.

Spawning

Reaches sexual maturity at 3 years of age. The growth of the fish is important - it should reach 30-35 cm. River carp is very prolific - the female can lay up to a million eggs. They go to spawn in early spring – in March-April. But the water must warm up to 100, so in Siberia spawning can begin only in the summer.

For breeding, shallow water overgrown with vegetation is selected. These can be water meadows, small swamps and even puddles. After the eggs are laid and fertilized, the adults leave the area. The fry grow very quickly: by autumn they gain 300-500 g of weight. They live in flocks and feed mainly on aquatic plants.

Fishing time

It is not recommended to open the carp hunting season immediately after the ice melts on the reservoir. After the winter cold, the fish do not show activity when searching for food.

After the mating season, the most successful places for fishing are near algae, other aquatic vegetation and areas of the bottom covered with clay.

At the end of spring and summer, the best bite is observed in the morning and evening hours.
It is not uncommon for fish to be active throughout the night. The bait should be cast in the area of algae, because... This is where the carp congregate.

In autumn, the water becomes clearer, so fishing gear should be invisible to the fish. It is recommended to cast your fishing rod near snags or other secluded places where carp can hide. Clean and clear water does not make them want to swim out into the open water.

Fishing for carp

Carp fishing is popular. But this fish is smart and careful. To successfully catch you need to know:

where is carp found?
features of his behavior;
where he likes to feed;
the best way to feed;
how to choose the right nozzle.

Carp are easy to spot. It digs through the mud, so large air bubbles on the surface of the water give it away. He likes to feed in oxbow lakes, silted creeks, and near dams.

The best time for fishing is spring. After wintering and spawning, this fish grabs any food and is the easiest to catch. But fishing is successful all season – until the onset of cold weather. The intensity of the bite may decrease with strong winds, prolonged rains, or sudden cold snaps. And during a short warm rain or after a thunderstorm, the activity of this fish increases.

Carp are omnivores and it is easy to choose a bait for them. In spring and autumn, it is better caught using protein bait: maggots, larvae, bloodworms, dragonflies, worms. In summer, it is most often caught using pearl barley, boiled potatoes, peas or bread. Most of all he loves corn, as well as pieces of pressed cake.

Fans of carp fishing use boilies as bait. These are balls rolled from soy flour, eggs, semolina, corn and various flavors. Sometimes dyes are used so that the bait is natural for the pond, but attracts the attention of the fish. Their diameter should be at least 1 cm, then they will become inaccessible to small fish, and large carp will bite on such bait. It is attracted by the smells of strawberry or maple syrup and honey.

When fishing, it is recommended to use bait. Carp are very voracious, so food will attract them. Usually fed with flour mixed with corn and peas. In the spring you can add worms, maggots, and larvae to the bait. The main rule of successful fishing is that the bait should be more attractive than the groundbait.

Carp are caught using a float or a bottom fishing rod. Donka is recommended to be used in reservoirs with a sandy bottom; if it is silted, it is better to fish with a float. But the line should be thin in any case, since this fish is very careful. And the rod is strong, it is often called a carp rod. The carp jerks so sharply that in half the cases it breaks off the hook or breaks the fishing line.

Sometimes fishermen cannot understand what kind of fish they pulled out; most often they confuse it with crucian carp. But a photo of a carp shows that its characteristic feature is the mustache that appears on the fish already in the first year of life.

Culinary characteristics of carp

When properly prepared, fresh large fish produce delicious dishes.

Composition and calorie content

Carp meat contains various vitamins:

B1 (thiamine);
B2 (riboflavin);
B3 (nicotinic acid);
B4 (choline);
B5 (pantothenic acid);
B6 (pyridoxine);
B9 (folic acid);
B12 (cobalamin);
A, C, D, E, K.

It contains essential and non-essential amino acids, sterols, and easily digestible proteins. Macroelements present: Ca (calcium), K (potassium), Na (sodium). Mg (magnesium), S (sulfur), P (phosphorus), Cl (chlorine).

Contains many trace elements, for example, Fe (iron), I (iodine), Mn (manganese). The meat of this fish is rich in fatty acids - saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated. Of these, omega-6 accounts for 0.29%.

The calorie content of raw carp is 112 kcal/100 g. When boiled, this figure is 102 kcal. Stewed meat has 109 calories, fried meat has 196-197 kcal.

Beneficial features

Delicious fish meat has the following beneficial characteristics:

increases immunity;
normalizes the process of hematopoiesis;
improves nervous and cardiovascular activity;
slows down the aging process;
removes toxins, cholesterol;
activates metabolism;
strengthens bones;
has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant effects.

Harm and contraindications

It is prohibited to include carp in the menu if an allergy to this type of fish has been identified. To avoid harm when included in the diet, heat treatment is required. This will help avoid infection with helminths.

The daily norm for a healthy person is 100-150 g of meat, 50-70 g of caviar of this type of fish. Meals are prepared 2-3 times a week.

Taste and smell of meat

Domesticated types of carp are prepared more often. In cooking, the meat of this large fish is attractive due to its delicate texture. It is pleasant, has a sweetish aftertaste.

Sometimes the smell of mud is felt if the specimen is caught in stagnant water.

To reduce it, soak the gutted carcass in a concentrated salt solution. Marinating fish steaks before frying helps.

Is the meat bony?

Carp belongs to river and lake fish species. This explains the large number of bones in its meat. They are removed before baking. If you are preparing fish soup, you need to chew the boiled pieces carefully so as not to injure the oral mucosa with the bones.

How to choose in a store

The taste and benefits of dishes depend on the freshness of the carp. The following characteristics are evaluated in a store or market:

wet scales without mucus;
absence of cuts and dark spots on the skin;
moisturized eyelids;
pink tint of gills;
elastic meat;
no unpleasant odor.

If there is a veil over the eyes of the fish, this is a sign of staleness. Check the elasticity by pressing on the side of the carcass. With a fresh one, the dent disappears in a few seconds. For frozen fish, the surface of transparent ice should be smooth.

When choosing fresh fish, pay attention to eye color.

Conditions and periods of fish storage

Only gutted and scaled carp are kept in the refrigerator for no longer than 3 days. In the freezer, the shelf life reaches 3-4 months. Fish should not be re-frozen.

Eating

Carp meat is dietary, low-calorie. But rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. It contains a lot of potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, zinc, as well as essential amino acids. But only carp that live in natural, clean reservoirs are useful. When grown in artificial conditions, fish are fed feed with chemical additives, antibiotics and hormones.

The carp is bred for industrial purposes, so it can be easily purchased. At the same time, you need to pay attention that the fish is fresh, without a specific smell, with transparent eyes, bright gills and elastic meat. It's better to buy live fish.

Carp can be baked, fried, boiled. It is used to make fish soup, casseroles, aspic, and marinades. Goes well with potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, herbs, and sour cream. Salting and drying is not recommended due to the fact that parasites often live in meat. To dissolve small bones, soak the carcass in lemon juice before cooking. It also helps get rid of the specific smell of mud.

Only young fish caught in clean water are suitable for fish soup. Otherwise, the finished dish will turn out cloudy and smell like mud.

This interesting, unpretentious fish is known to everyone. Features of lifestyle and nutrition allow it to grow to large sizes. Carps are bred in ponds for industrial use and for decorative purposes.

Types of carp

In addition to the common taxon, which is distinguished by its hardiness and is a breeding base for fish farms, other cultivated, artificially bred breeds are grown in ponds, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

Mirror carp

The species became the first successful breeding experiment associated with increasing the fertility and weight of fish. The first examples of the new breed appeared in Germany at the beginning of the 19th century under the sonorous name spiegelkarpfen (mirror carp). The main differences from the original form were more rounded fins, fewer bony rays, a rapid increase in weight and a special arrangement of shiny scales that cover only part of the body and resemble rounded mirrors. There are several basic patterns of protective covers that give names to varieties of mirror carp - framed, scattered, linear. An important biological feature of the species is its feeding affinity for mollusks and cereals, which significantly simplifies keeping the fish in artificial conditions.

naked carp

The variety arose as a result of further selection of the mirror crown. The main exterior feature is the complete absence of a hard protective cover. Another common name for the taxon is leatherback carp. The breed standard allows for a minimum number of large scales on the back and at the base of the caudal fin.

Due to weak immunity and susceptibility to parasites, the fish is of no economic importance and is mainly bred as a popular object of recreational and sport fishing.

Carp

Fierce food competition between the two species forced fish farmers to look for a compromise solution that would allow them to control the number of super-prolific crucian carp (Carassius) in the reservoir and prevent severe reduction of the stock. In the mid-1980s, a special breed was bred in Russia - carp carp, which was distinguished by its rapid weight gain, high nutritional value and inability to reproduce independently due to the complete sterility of the males. The hybrid has a unique appearance - the head and color of a crucian carp, the body of a carp. Thanks to excellent adaptability, omnivorousness and high biological potential, in just 2-4 years the fish grows to 1.5-2 kg.

Koi carp

The idea of crossing closely related generic taxa Cyprinus carpio and Carassius is not new and has a strong historical basis. Back in the 1st-2nd centuries, the Chinese managed to obtain offspring from wild carp and local crucian carp (Carassius auratus), which is known to aquarists as goldfish. The resulting hybrid retained the body of the carp and the ability to reproduce, but acquired an unusual red or white body color. Further intraspecific crossing allowed us to obtain pink and spotted forms.

To learn more:

Silver carp: description, habits, fishing and benefits of fish

From China, the fish quickly made its way to neighboring Japan, where it became a lifesaver for rice farmers in mountainous areas. Heavy winter snowfalls cut people off from cities for many months, leaving them without supplies of protein food. This is where the unpretentious fish came in handy, as it thrived in special tanks for storing irrigation water.

The Japanese word "koi", translated as "carp", has become the main word for this colorful, long-lived taxon, growing over a meter in length. The Japanese themselves use the term “nishikigoi”, literally - brocade carp, of which more than 80 breeds have been bred, including with the participation of a mirror relative. Now the fish inhabits homestead and park ponds in all corners of the country and is an object of aesthetic and cultural content.

Siamese carp

The most numerous representative of the family Cyprinidae is the genus Catlocarpio, which lives in Indochina in the rivers, lakes and reservoirs of the Gulf of Thailand, Andaman and South China Seas (Mekong, Chao Phraya, Tonle Sap, Saigon, Phumphon). Siamese carp, or giant barbel, leads a peaceful lifestyle, preferring plants, algae, fruits, grains, and phytoplankton. Despite the low-calorie diet, the average size of the fish exceeds 30-40 kg. There are known cases of catching record-breaking individuals weighing up to 300 kg with a body length of more than 3 meters.