Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
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Photo Credit: © supergan, CC BY-NC 4.0 https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/61461318
Cyprinus carpio
Habitat:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
How might it get here?
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
Prevent Spread:
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
Cyprinus carpio
Habitat:
- Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds; tolerates wide range of freshwater conditions, prefers slow or stagnant water with muddy bottom and thick vegetation.
Description:
- Many forms of carp have been bred and as a result they are highly variable in appearance.
- Common carp have brown-green back and upper sides, silvery to golden-brown flanks and a white belly.
- Due to their size and 'fight' carp are popular for angling, they can weight up to 30kg and are usually 25 – 75 cm (can grow up to 100cm) in length.
- They have a thick to round body and large protruding lips with 2 long and 2 short barbels originating from the upper jaw.
- The dorsal fin is concave with a long base and strongly serrated spine at the front.
Origin and Distribution:
- It is native to Eastern Europe and Asia.
- Due to their introduced for both aquaculture and angling in many countries, C. carpio can be considered the world's most widely distributed freshwater fish.
- Wild stocks are only present naturally in rivers draining to the Black, Caspian and Aral Sea.
Impacts:
- In waters where common carp does become established they alter the habitat by consuming plants and invertebrates and also by increasing turbidity.
- Should this species arrive in Ireland, there is potential for the associated introduction of fish diseases and parasites. These impacts may lead to a reduction in the quality of Irish game (salmonid), and potentially coarse fisheries.
- It will also impact the ecological status of Irish waterbodies under the Water Framework Directive.
How might it get here?
- Deliberate introduction for angling or aquaculture.
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- Present in carp fisheries in Northern Ireland.
Prevent Spread:
- Fisheries must be managed in accordance with conditions of their permit, to prevent any escapes or releases to the surrounding environment.
- Do not move species of fish from one waterbody to another.
- Do not introduce invasive non-native fish species.
- Report all sightings.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
NIEA-ID-Guide-Cyprinus-carpio-Common-Carp