Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

North Coast (Oregon Border to Point Arena) North Central Coast (South of Point Arena to Half Moon Bay) Central Coast (South of Half Moon Bay to Point Conception) Santa Barbara (Point Conception to Point Dume) South Coast (Point Dume to Mexico border) Farmed Firm fish Flakey fish Wild caught

The Science

These fish are an non-native freshwater species in California and the rest of the U.S. [1]

The Fishery

Under development

The Seafood

The Science

Taxonomic description

  • This fish has a long dorsal fin, short, saw-toothed spine in front of both dorsal and anal fins, and two barbels on each side of its upper jaw. [1]
  • It has a brown-green olive color on the back and sides, and a yellowish white belly. It has large, dark-edged scales that make a crosshatched effect and some of its fins have a red tinge. [1,2]

Distribution

  • Common carp was originally introduced to the United States in 1831, and has since spread all over the United States. [1]

Life history

  • Newly hatched carp larvae typically feed on algae and zooplankton, and as they get older they forage through soil for aquatic insect larvae, small mollusks, crustaceans, and annelid worms. [1,2]
  • Common carp often compete for food and space by eating eggs of other fish species, and their feeding clouds the water and uproots vegetation. [1,2]

Habitat

  • This fish can tolerate many conditions, but prefers warm, turbid waters, large streams, natural lakes, and other highly productive waters. [1,2]

The Fishery

Seasonal availability

  • This fish is available year-round. [CITE]

Managing authority

  • Typically, individual lakes and reservoirs will display regional advisories on the safety of eating common carp. General information is available through the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). [OH]

Gear type

  • Doughballs or cooked corn are popular baits. [#]
  • This fish is typically recreationally caught by line. [#]

Status of the fishery

  • There is currently a campaign for fishermen to keep and kill common carp, as they are considered an invasive species. [#]

Potential ecosystem impacts

  • Impact of this fish's feeding behavior. [#]

The Seafood

Edible portions

Description of meat

Culinary uses

Nutritional information

Seasonal availability 

References

[1] Missouri Department of Conservation. n.d. Common Carp. Web. https://nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/common-carp. Accessed 1 July 2020. 

[2] University of California Agriculture and Natural Resurces. 2020. Common Carp. Web. http://calfish.ucdavis.edu/species/?ds=241&uid=25. Accessed 1 July 2020. 

[OH] California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. 2018. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site-specific Advice. Web. https://oehha.ca.gov/advisories/statewide-advisory-eating-fish-californi.... Accessed 1 July 2020.