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What is a Carp?
A Carp (Cyprinus Carpio Linnaeus) is a freshwater fish, found all over the world. Including many countries that breed them for various types of foods and sports. Different nations view this fish to be a pest to the Rivers, while others think they are a great fish to consume. The Carp are extensively farmed in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Appearance
Although Carp can be confused or mistaken for a gold fish, Carp can be distinguished by a pair of Barbells, (or whiskers) at each corner of their mouth. They have small eyes, a forked tail and dorsal fin, along with strong serrated spines on their spine. Carp are usually a olive green, or bronze, with a paler underside. Carp can grow to a large size, with some overseas Carp growing up to the lengths of 1.2 metres, and approximately 60kg in weight! But it is common to find Carp in Australia 35-40cm long, and 4-5kg in weight. the Carps Gill Rake's.
Habitat
Carp are commonly found in slow moving river water, especially where there is plenty of aquatic vegetation. Carp were brought into Australia both accidentally and deliberately, to imitate the European environment, and for the different sports. The European Carp is native to Asia, but extensive introductions to different countries, has made it the worlds most widely distributed freshwater fish.
Diet/Feeding
Carp are Omnivorous, their diet consists around what is on the bottom of the water. They eat a range of different things including; Molluscs, Crustaceans, Insect Larvae and different seeds. These food items are sucked up off the bottom, and all of the remaining mud and water from the bottom gets filtered out of
Algae blooms
There have been thoughts that Carp cause Algae blooms, by preying on the animals that can feed in Algae, stirring up the nutrients trapped in the bottom sediments, damaging aquatic plants, which means reduced plant life, creating a far more Turbid water.
Reproduction
Carp mature early, around the age of one year for males, and two for females. Females can produce around 1.5 million eggs, if the female is around the weight of 60kg. During mating season the males will commonly travel around 100 kilometres.