View source for Carp

{{short description|Various species of cyprinid fishes}}
{{About|the fish}}
[[File:Unsere Süßwasserfische (Tafel 33) (6102602781).jpg|thumb|1913 illustration of ''Cyprinus carpio'', better known as the [[common carp]]]]
[[File:Common_carp_Minnesota.jpg|thumb|Common carp in [[Lake Minnetonka]], [[Minnesota]]]]
The term '''carp''' ({{plural form}}: carp) is a generic [[common name]] for numerous species of [[freshwater fish]] from the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Cyprinidae]], a very large [[clade]] of [[ray-finned fish]] mostly native to [[Eurasia]]. While carp are prized [[game fish|quarries]] and are valued (even [[pisciculture|commercially cultivated]]) as both [[food fish|food]] and [[ornamental fish]] in many parts of the [[Old World]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Short Reports - How to Cook a Carp |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/didyouknow/inland/carp_recipes.phtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326021351/https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/didyouknow/inland/carp_recipes.phtml |archive-date=2023-03-26 |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=[[TPWD]] |publication-place=Texas}}</ref> they are considered [[trash fish]] and [[invasive species|invasive]] [[pest (organism)|pest]]s in many parts of [[Africa]], [[Australia]] and most of the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=What are Invasive Carp? |url=https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-invasive-carp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516204256/https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-invasive-carp |archive-date=2023-05-16 |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=[[USGS]] |date=19 October 2022 |publication-place=United States}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2022 |title=Carp in the Murray-Darling Basin and Commonwealth environmental water |url=https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/cewo/carp-murray-darling-basin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310132036/https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/cewo/carp-murray-darling-basin |archive-date=2023-03-10 |access-date=2023-07-23 |website=[[DCCEEW]] |place=Commonwealth of Australia}}</ref>

==Biology==
The cypriniformes (family Cyprinidae) are traditionally grouped with the [[Characiformes]], [[Siluriformes]], and [[Gymnotiformes]] to create the superorder [[Ostariophysi]], since these groups share some common features. These features include being found predominantly in fresh water and possessing [[Weberian ossicles]], an anatomical structure derived from the first five anterior-most vertebrae, and their corresponding ribs and neural crests.

[[File:Hal_-_Cyprinus_carpio_and_Amia_calva_skeletons_detail.jpg|alt=Hal_-_Cyprinus_carpio_and_Amia_calva_skeletons_detail|left|thumb|''[[Cyprinus carpio]]'' skeleton]]
The third anterior-most pair of ribs is in contact with the extension of the [[bony labyrinth|labyrinth]] and the posterior with the swim bladder. The function is poorly understood, but this structure is presumed to take part in the transmission of vibrations from the [[swim bladder]] to the labyrinth and in the perception of sound, which would explain why the Ostariophysi have such a great capacity for hearing.<ref name="Billard">Billard R. (Ed.) (1995). Carp – Biology and Culture. Springer-Praxis Series in Aquaculture and Fisheries, Chichester, UK.</ref>
[[File:2006-11-24 Koi.jpg|thumb|''[[Cyprinus rubrofuscus]]'' (Amur carp) have been domesticated and bred in [[Japan]] since the early 19th century for ornamental purposes in their [[koi]] form.]]
Most cypriniformes have scales and teeth on the inferior pharyngeal bones which may be modified in relation to the diet. ''[[Tribolodon]]'' is the only cyprinid genus which tolerates salt water. Several species move into brackish water but return to fresh water to spawn. All of the other cypriniformes live in continental waters and have a wide geographical range.<ref name="Billard"/> Some consider all cyprinid fishes carp{{By whom|date=March 2015}}, and the family Cyprinidae itself is often known as the carp family.

In colloquial use, carp usually refers only to several larger cyprinid species such as ''[[Cyprinus carpio]]'' (common carp), ''[[Carassius carassius]]'' (crucian carp), ''[[Ctenopharyngodon idella]]'' (grass carp), ''[[Hypophthalmichthys molitrix]]'' (silver carp), and ''[[Hypophthalmichthys nobilis]]'' (bighead carp). Common carp are native to both [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Western Asia]],<ref>Balon, E. 1995. Origin and domestication of the wild carp, Cyprinus carpio: from Roman gourmets to the swimming flowers. Aquaculture 129(1-4):3–48</ref> so they are sometimes called a "Eurasian" carp.

Carp have long been an important food fish to humans. Several species such as the various [[goldfish]] (''Carassius auratus'') breeds and the domesticated common carp variety known as [[koi]] (''Cyprinus rubrofuscus'' var. ''"koi"'') have been popular ornamental fishes. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are considered invasive species in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|author=National Invasive Species Information Center |url=https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/asian-carp |title=Invasive Species: Aquatic Species – Asian Carp |publisher=Invasivespeciesinfo.gov |date=2010-07-21 |access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> and, worldwide, large sums of money are spent on carp control.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://karpfenstuhl.com/|title=Karpfenstuhl|access-date=2017-02-22}}</ref>

At least some species of carp are able to survive for months with practically no [[oxygen]] (for example under ice or in stagnant, scummy water) by metabolizing [[glycogen]] to form [[lactic acid]] which is then converted into [[ethanol]] and [[carbon dioxide]]. The ethanol diffuses into the surrounding water through the [[gills]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=Aren van Waarde|author2=G. Van den Thillart|author3=Maria Verhagen|title=Surviving Hypoxia|date=1993|isbn=0-8493-4226-0|pages=157–170|chapter=Ethanol Formation and pH-Regulation in Fish|publisher=CRC Press |hdl=11370/3196a88e-a978-4293-8f6f-cd6876d8c428}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Breath of life: Did animals evolve without oxygen?|journal=New Scientist|date=Jan 21, 2017|url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23331090-200}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author=Jay Storz|author2=Grant McClelland|name-list-style=amp|title=Rewiring metabolism under oxygen deprivation|journal=Science|volume=356|issue=6335|pages=248–249|date=Apr 21, 2017|doi=10.1126/science.aan1505|pmid=28428384|pmc=6661067|bibcode=2017Sci...356..248S}}</ref>

==Species==
{{common fish}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible"
|-
! colspan="11"| Some prominent carp in the family Cyprinidae
|-
! Common name
! Scientific name
! Max<br />length (cm)
! Common<br />length (cm)
! Max<br />weight (kg)
! Max<br />age (yr)
! [[Trophic level|Trophic<br />level]]
! [[FishBase|Fish<br />Base]]
! [[FAO]]
! [[ITIS]]
! [[IUCN|IUCN status]]
|-
| [[Silver carp]]
| ''Hypophthalmichthys molitrix'' <small>(Valenciennes, 1844)</small>
| align="right" | 105
| align="right" | 18
| align="right" | 50
| align="right" |
| align="center" | 2.0
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Hypophthalmichthys | species = molitrix | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" | <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2967/en ''Hypophthalmichthys molitrix'' (Valenciennes, 1844) ] FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 2012.</ref>
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=163691 |taxon=Hypophthalmichthys molitrix|access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>
| [[File:NT IUCN 3 1.svg|NT IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Near threatened</small><ref>{{Cite iucn | author = Zhao, H.H. | title = ''Hypophthalmichthys molitrix'' | volume = 2011 | article-number = e.T166081A6168056 | date = 2011 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T166081A6168056.en | access-date = 25 December 2017}}</ref>
|-
| [[Common carp]] (European carp)
| ''Cyprinus carpio'' <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small>
| align="right" | 110
| align="right" | 31
| align="right" | 40.1
| align="right" | 38
| align="center" | 3.0
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Cyprinus | species = carpio | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" | <ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/species/2957/en ''Cyprinus carpio'' (Linnaeus, 1758) ] FAO, Species Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 2012.</ref>
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=163344 |taxon=Cyprinus carpio|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite iucn |author=Freyhof, J. |author2=Kottelat, M. |date=2008 |title=''Cyprinus carpio'' |volume=2008 |article-number=e.T6181A12559362 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T6181A12559362.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Grass carp]]
| ''Ctenopharyngodon idella'' <small>(Valenciennes, 1844)</small>
| align="right" | 150
| align="right" | 10.7
| align="right" | 45.0
| align="right" | 21
| align="center" | 2.0
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Ctenopharyngodon | species = idella | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=163537 |taxon=Ctenopharyngodon idella|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" | <small>Not assessed</small>
|-
| [[Bighead carp]]
| ''Hypophthalmichthys nobilis'' <small>(Richardson, 1845)</small>
| align="right" | 146
| align="right" | 60
| align="right" | 40.0
| align="right" | 20
| align="center" | 2.3
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Hypophthalmichthys | species = nobilis | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=163692 |taxon=Hypophthalmichthys nobilis|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |[[File:DD IUCN 3 1.svg|DD IUCN 3 1.svg]]<small>Data deficient</small><ref name="Freyhof, J. 2008 e.T3849A10117321">{{cite iucn |author=Freyhof, J. |author2=Kottelat, M. |date=2008 |title=''Carassius carassius'' |volume=2008 |article-number=e.T3849A10117321 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T3849A10117321.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Crucian carp]]
| ''Carassius carassius'' <small>(Linnaeus, 1758)</small>
| align="right" | 64
| align="right" | 15
| align="right" | 3.0
| align="right" | 10
| align="center" | 3.1
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Carassius | species = carassius | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=163352 |taxon=Carassius carassius|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref name="Freyhof, J. 2008 e.T3849A10117321"/>
|-
| [[Catla|Catla carp]] (Indian carp)
| ''Cyprinus catla'' <small>(Hamilton, 1822)</small>
| align="right" | 182
| align="right" |
| align="right" | 38.6
| align="right" |
| align="center" | 2.8
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Cyprinus | species = catla | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=vvvvvvvvvvvv |taxon=Cyprinus catla|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |  [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]]<small>Least concern</small><ref name=IUCN>{{Cite iucn | author = Tenzin, K. |access-date=6 December 2023| title = ''Gibelion catla'' | year = 2010 | article-number = e.T166425A6206451 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T166425A6206451.en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Mrigal|Mrigal carp]]
| ''Cirrhinus cirrhosus'' <small>(Bloch, 1795)</small>
| align="right" | 100
| align="right" | 40
| align="right" | 12.7
| align="right" |
| align="center" | 2.5
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Cirrhinus | species = cirrhosus | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=688892 |taxon=Cirrhinus cirrhosus|access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>
| [[File:VU IUCN 3 1.svg|VU IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Vulnerable</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Rema Devi, K.R. |author2=Ali, A. |date=2011 |title=''Cirrhinus cirrhosus'' |volume=2011 |article-number=e.T166531A6230103 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T166531A6230103.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[Black carp]]
| ''Mylopharyngodon piceus'' <small>(Richardson, 1846)</small>
| align="right" | 122
| align="right" | 12.2
| align="right" | 35
| align="right" | 13
| align="center" | 3.2
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Mylopharyngodon | species = piceus | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=639618 |taxon=Mylopharyngodon piceus|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" | <small>Not assessed</small>
|-
| [[Cirrhinus molitorella|Mud carp]]
| ''Cirrhinus molitorella'' <small>(Valenciennes, 1844)</small>
| align="right" | 55.0
| align="right" |15.2
| align="right" | 0.50
| align="right" |
| align="center" | 2.0
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Cirrhinus | species = molitorella | month = May | year = 2012}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{ITIS |id=688897 |taxon=Cirrhinus molitorella|access-date=1 May 2012}}</ref>
| [[File:NT IUCN 3 1.svg|NT IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Near threatened</small><ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
| [[Caspian roach]]
| ''Rutilus caspicus'' <small>(Yakovlev, 1870)</small>
| align="right" | 45
| align="right" |32.5
| align="right" | 2
| align="right" |
| align="center" | 
| align="center" | <ref>{{FishBase | genus = Cirrhinus | species = molitorella | month = March | year = 2019}}</ref>
| align="center" |
| align="center" |
| [[File:LC IUCN 3 1.svg|LC IUCN 3 1.svg]] <small>Least concern</small><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Freyhof, J. |author2=Kottelat, M. |date=2008 |title=''Rutilus caspicus'' |volume=2008 |article-number=e.T135601A4157650 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T135601A4157650.en |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref>
|}

==Recreational fishing==
{{Main|Carp fishing}}{{Multiple image
| direction         = vertical
| total_width       = 200
| image1            = Carpe lac D'Enghien les Bains.JPG
| image2            = Record de pêche à Torcy.jpg
| image3            = Carpking.jpg
| footer            = [[Angling|Anglers]] posing with very large carp
}}
In 1653 [[Izaak Walton]] wrote in ''[[The Compleat Angler]]'', "The Carp is the queen of rivers; a stately, a good, and a very subtle fish; that was not at first bred, nor hath been long in [[England]], but is now naturalised."

Carp are variable in terms of [[angling]] value.
* In Europe, even when not fished for food, they are eagerly sought by anglers, being considered highly prized [[coarse fish]] that are difficult to hook.<ref name=Fishlore>A. F. Magri MacMahon (1946). ''Fishlore'', pp 149–152. Pelican Books.</ref> The [[UK]] has a thriving carp angling market, with the British record carp standing at 68lb 1oz.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warburton |first=Rob |date=13 April 2023 |title=British Carp Record |url=https://carpsquad.com/british-carp-record/ |website=Carp Squad}}</ref> It is the fastest growing angling market in the UK, and has spawned a number of specialised carp angling publications such as ''Carpology'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carpology.net|title=CARPology Magazine|website=www.carpology.net}}</ref> ''Advanced carp fishing'', ''Carpworld''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carpworld.co.uk|title=Carpworld Magazine|website=www.carpworld.co.uk}}</ref> and ''Total Carp'', and informative carp angling web sites, such as ''Carpfishing UK''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carp-uk.net|title=Carp Fishing - Carpfishing UK|website=www.carp-uk.net}}</ref> and ''Carp Squad''.
* In the United States, carp are also classified as a [[rough fish]], as well as a damaging naturalized exotic species, but with sporting qualities. Carp have long suffered from a poor reputation in the United States as undesirable for angling or for the table, especially since they are typically an invasive species out-competing more desirable local game fish.  Nonetheless, many states' departments of natural resources are beginning to view the carp as an angling fish instead of a maligned pest. Groups such as Wild Carp Companies,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcarpcompanies.com/index.html|title=Carp Fishing in Syracuse and Baldwinsville areas, NY, USA. Wild Carp Companies, of Baldwinsville, NY, promotes catch and release carp angling|website=www.wildcarpcompanies.com}}</ref> American Carp Society,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americancarpsociety.com|title=Coming Soon|website=American Carp Society}}</ref> and the Carp Anglers Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carpanglersgroup.com|title=Carp Anglers Group}}</ref> promote the sport and work with fisheries departments to organize events to introduce and expose others to the unique opportunity the carp offers freshwater anglers.<br /> The common carp is one of the most abundant species of carp found in most rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds throughout the Midwest region of the United States. Common carp are a particularly strong fish that fight hard on the end of anglers' lines, making them an appealing target for recreational fisherman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Adrian |date=2019-08-28 |title=- The IGFA |url=https://igfa.org/2019/08/28/carp-angling-in-north-america/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=International Game Fish Association |language=en-US}}</ref> Since its introduction to the waters of the United States in the 1880s<ref>{{Cite web |title=Common carp, German carp, European carp (Cyprinus carpio) |url=https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/aquaticanimals/commoncarp/index.html |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |language=en}}</ref> these fish have been viewed as a game fish, despite the fact that they are a destructive, and invasive species.

==Aquaculture==
{{see also|Aquaculture in China}}[[File:Cyprinids aquaculture production.png|thumb|Aquaculture production of cyprinids by species in million tonnes, 1950–2010, as reported by the [[FAO]]<ref name="faostat">Based on data sourced from the [http://faostat.fao.org/site/629/default.aspx FishStat database]</ref>]]Various species of carp have been [[domesticated]] and [[fish farming|reared]] as [[food fish]] across Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have been domesticated independently, as the various domesticated carp species are native to different parts of [[Eurasia]]. [[Aquaculture]] has been pursued in [[China]] for at least 2,400 years. A tract by [[Fan Li]] in the fifth century BC details many of the ways carp were raised in [[Fish pond|ponds]].<ref>[http://www.fao.org/fishery/countrysector/naso_china/en National Aquaculture Sector Overview: China] ''FAO'', Rome. Retrieved 26 July 2011.</ref> The common carp (''Cyprinus carpio'') is originally from [[Central Europe]].<ref>
{{cite journal
|last1=Zhou|first1=Jian Feng
|last2=Wu|first2=Qing Jiang
|last3=Ye|first3=Yu Zhen
|last4=Tong|first4=Jin Gou
|title=Genetic Divergence Between ''Cyprinus carpio carpio'' and ''Cyprinus carpio haematopterus'' as Assessed by Mitochondrial DNA Analysis, with Emphasis on Origin of European Domestic Carp
|journal=Genetica
|date=2003
|volume=119
|number=1
|pages=93–97
|doi=10.1023/A:1024421001015|pmid=12903751
|s2cid=36805144
}}
</ref>  Several carp species (collectively known as [[Asian carp]]) were domesticated in [[East Asia]]. Carp that are originally from [[South Asia]], for example [[catla]] (''Gibelion catla''), [[rohu]] (''Labeo rohita'') and [[mrigal]] (''Cirrhinus cirrhosus''), are known as [[Catla catla|Indian carp]]. Their hardiness and adaptability have allowed domesticated species to be propagated all around the world.

Although the carp was an important aquatic food item, as more fish species have become readily available for the table, the importance of carp culture in [[Western Europe]] has diminished. Demand has declined, partly due to the appearance of more desirable table fish such as [[trout]] and [[salmon]] through [[intensive farming]], and environmental constraints. However, fish production in ponds is still a major form of aquaculture in Central and [[Eastern Europe]], including the [[Russian Federation]], where most of the production comes from low or intermediate-intensity ponds. In [[Asia]], the farming of carp continues to surpass the total amount of farmed fish volume of intensively sea-farmed species, such as salmon and [[tuna]].<ref>Váradi, L. (2001). Review of trends in the development of European inland aquaculture linkages with fisheries. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 8: 453–462.</ref>

==Breeding==
Selective breeding programs for the common carp include improvement in growth, shape, and resistance to disease. Experiments carried out in the [[USSR]] used [[Hybrid (biology)|crossings]] of [[broodstock]]s to increase genetic diversity, and then selected the species for traits such as growth rate, exterior traits and viability, and/or adaptation to environmental conditions such as variations in temperature.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Kirpichnikov | first1 = V.S. | last2 = Ilyasov | first2 = J.I. | last3 = Shart | first3 = L.A. | last4 = Vikhman | first4 = A.A. | last5 = Ganchenko | first5 = M.V. | last6 = Ostashevsky | first6 = A.L. | last7 = Simonov | first7 = V.M. | last8 = Tikhonov | first8 = G.F | last9 = Tjurin | first9 = V.V. | year = 1993 | title = Selection of Krasnodar common carp (''Cyprinus carpio'' L.) for resistance to dropsy: principal results and prospects | journal = Aquaculture | volume = 111 | issue = 1–4| pages = 7–20 | doi = 10.1016/0044-8486(93)90020-Y | bibcode = 1993Aquac.111....7K }}</ref><ref>Babouchkine, Y.P., 1987. La sélection d'une carpe résistant à l'hiver. In: Tiews, K. (Ed.), Proceedings ofWorld Symposium on Selection, Hybridization, and Genetic Engineering in Aquaculture, Bordeaux 27–30 May 1986, vol. 1. HeenemannVerlagsgesellschaft mbH, Berlin, pp.&nbsp;447–454.</ref> Selected carp for fast growth and tolerance to cold, the Ropsha carp.{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} The results showed a 30 to 77.4% improvement of cold tolerance, but did not provide any data for growth rate. An increase in growth rate was observed in the second generation in [[Vietnam]],<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Tran | first1 = M.T. | last2 = Nguyen | first2 = C.T. | year = 1993 | title = Selection of common carp (''Cyprinus carpio'' L.) in Vietnam | journal = Aquaculture | volume = 111 | issue = 1–4| pages = 301–302 | doi = 10.1016/0044-8486(93)90064-6 | bibcode = 1993Aquac.111..301M }}</ref> Moav and Wohlfarth (1976) showed positive results when selecting for slower growth for three generations compared to selecting for faster growth.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Moav|first1=R.|last2=Wohlfarth|first2=G.W.|year=1976|title=Two-way selection for growth rate in the common carp (''Cyprinus carpio L''.)|journal=Genetics|volume=82|issue=1|pages=83–101|doi=10.1093/genetics/82.1.83|url=https://www.genetics.org/content/82/1/83|pmid=1248737|pmc=1213447}}
</ref> Schaperclaus (1962) showed resistance to the dropsy disease wherein selected lines suffered low mortality (11.5%) compared to unselected (57%).<ref>Schäperclaus, W. 1962. Traité de pisciculture en étang. Vigot Frères, Paris</ref>

The major carp species used traditionally in Chinese aquaculture are the [[Black carp|black]], [[Grass carp|grass]], [[Silver carp|silver]] and [[bighead carp]]. In the 1950s, the Pearl River Fishery Research Institute in China made a technological breakthrough in the induced [[Animal breeding|breeding]] of these carps, which has resulted in a rapid expansion of freshwater aquaculture in China.<ref name=research>[http://www.cafs.ac.cn/english/Research-Achievement.html CAFS research achievement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328012249/http://www.cafs.ac.cn/english/Research-Achievement.html |date=2012-03-28 }} CAFS. Accessed 26 July 2011.</ref> In the late 1990s, scientists at the [[Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences]] developed a new variant of the [[common carp]] called the Jian carp (''Cyprinus carpio'' var. ''Jian''). This fish grows rapidly and has a high [[feed conversion rate]]. Over 50% of the total aquaculture production of carp in China has now converted to Jian carp.<ref name=research /><ref>Jian, Zhu; Jianxin, Wang; Yongsheng, Gong and Jiaxin, Chen (2005) [http://gensel2008.wikispaces.com/file/view/Carp+genetic+resources+for+aquaculture+in+Asia.pdf "Carp Genetic Resources of China"] pp. 26–38. In: David J Penman, Modadugu V Gupta and Madan M Dey (Eds.) ''Carp genetic resources for aquaculture in Asia'', WorldFish Center, Technical report: '''65'''(1727). {{ISBN|978-983-2346-35-7}}.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" |The major traditional aquaculture carp of China
|-
| <gallery widths="180">
File:Mylopharyngodon piceus.jpg|{{center|[[Black carp]]}}
File:Hal - Ctenopharyngodon idella - 1.jpg|{{center|[[Grass carp]]}}
File:Hypophthalmichthys molitrix.jpg|{{center|[[Silver carp]]}}
File:Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead carp).jpg|{{center|[[Bighead carp]]}}
</gallery>
|}

==As ornamental fish==
{{Main|Goldfish|Koi|Koi pond}}

[[File:Goldfish in Fish Swimming Amid Falling Flowers by Liu Cai (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|[[Goldfish]] and other carp from ''Fish Swimming Amid Falling Flowers'', a [[Song dynasty]] painting by Liu Cai  ({{Circa}} 1080–1120)]]
[[File:Shoal of carp (4082185105).jpg|thumb|Man feeding a [[Shoaling and schooling|shoal]] of koi at [[Atago Shrine (Tokyo)|Atago Shrine]] in [[Minato, Tokyo]], Japan]]
[[File:GoldfishPearl.jpg|thumb|An [[oranda]]-type variegated [[pearlscale]]]]

Carp, along with many of their [[cyprinid]] relatives, are popular ornamental aquarium and pond fish.

Ornamental goldfish were originally domesticated from their wild form, a dark greyish-brown carp native to Asia, but may have been influenced by ''[[Carassius carassius]]'' and ''[[Carassius gibelio]]''. They were first bred for color in China over a thousand years ago. Due to selective breeding, goldfish have been developed into many distinct breeds, and are found in various colors, color patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original carp. Goldfish were kept as ornamental fish in China for thousands of years before being introduced to [[Japan]] in 1603, and to Europe in 1611.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/info/info.htm |title=Goldfish history, colour and finnage, diseases, how to keep them, and how to breed them |publisher=bristol-aquarists.org.uk |access-date=2015-01-18}}</ref>

[[Nishikigoi]], better known simply as koi, are a domesticated varieties of [[common carp]] and [[Amur carp]] (''Cyprinus rubrofuscus'') that have been selectively bred for color. The common carp was introduced from China to Japan, where selective breeding in the 1820s in the [[Niigata Prefecture|Niigata]] region resulted in koi.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mpks.org/articles/RayJordan/KoiHistory3.shtml |title=Midwest Pond and Koi Society – Koi History: Myths & Mysteries, by Ray Jordan |publisher=Mpks.org |access-date=2010-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723111340/http://www.mpks.org/articles/RayJordan/KoiHistory3.shtml |archive-date=2009-07-23 }}</ref> In Japanese culture, koi are treated with affection, and seen as good luck.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goto |first=Mao |date=November 24, 2021 |title=The History of Koi and Their Meaning in Japan |url=https://blog.japanwondertravel.com/koi-fish-japan-29657 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524172209/https://blog.japanwondertravel.com/koi-fish-japan-29657 |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=July 27, 2023 |website=Japan Wonder Travel Blog}}</ref> They are popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond fish.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2020 |title=Japan's Koi fish gaining popularity around world |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/japans-koi-fish-gaining-popularity-around-world20200525181855/ |website=[[Asian News International]]}}</ref>
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==As food==
{{Cookbook|Carp}}<!-- link for [[template:Seafood]], needs expanding -->
[[File:HK Westwood Wellcome Shop packaged iced Seafood for Hot pot 鯇魚片 Grass Carp April-2012.jpg|thumb|Slices of [[grass carp]] [[Fish fillet|fillets]] for sale at a supermarket in [[Hong Kong]]|241x241px]]

* [[Bighead carp]] is enjoyed in many parts of the world, but it has not become a popular foodfish in North America. Acceptance there has been hindered in part by the name "carp", and its association with the common carp which is not a generally favored foodfish in North America. The flesh of the bighead carp is white and firm, different from that of the common carp, which is darker and richer. Bighead carp flesh shares one similarity with common carp flesh – both have intramuscular bones within the filet. However, bighead carp captured from the wild in the United States tend to be much larger than common carp, so the intramuscular bones are also larger and thus less problematic.
* [[Common carp]], breaded and fried, is part of traditional Christmas Eve dinner in [[Slovakia]], [[Poland]], eastern part of [[Croatia]] and in the [[Czech Republic]]. In pond based water agriculture it is treated as most prominent food fish. Some recipes are specifically for carp such as the "[[sweet-and-sour]] carp" ({{zh|s=糖醋鯉魚|p=Tángcù Lǐyú}}) and "thick [[miso soup]] with carp" ({{langx|ja|鯉こく|Koikoku}}).
* [[Crucian carp]] is considered the best-tasting pan fish in Poland. It is known as {{lang|pl|karaś}}, and is served traditionally with sour cream ({{lang|pl|karasie w śmietanie}}).<ref>{{Harvnb|Strybel|Strybel|2005}}, p. 384</ref> In Russia, this particular species is called {{lang|ru|Золотой карась}}, meaning "golden crucian", and is one of the fish used in a [[borscht]] recipe called {{transliteration|ru|borshch s karasej}}<ref>{{Harvnb| Molokhovet︠s︡|1998}}</ref> ({{lang|ru|Борщ с карасе́й}}) or {{transliteration|ru|borshch s karasyami}} {{lang|ru|Борщ с карася́ми}}).
* [[Mud carp]], due to the low cost of production, is mainly consumed by the poor, locally; it is mostly sold alive, but can be dried and salted.<ref name=
"cultured-aquatic-species-mud-carp">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/809/cultured-aquatic-species-mud-carp|title=Cultured Aquatic Species – Mud Carp|website=TheFishSite.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522095924/http://www.thefishsite.com/articles/809/cultured-aquatic-species-mud-carp|archive-date=2013-05-22|date=10 December 2009|access-date=23 September 2013}}</ref> An important food fish in [[Guangdong Province]], it is also cultured in this area and [[Taiwan]]. Mud carp is sometimes canned or processed as [[fish cake]]s, [[fish balls]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clovegarden.com/ingred/sf_carpz.html|title=Carp Family|website=www.clovegarden.com|first = Andrew |last=Grygus}}</ref> or [[dumplings]],<ref name="cultured-aquatic-species-mud-carp"/> as used in [[Cantonese cuisine|Cantonese]] and [[Shunde]] cuisines. It can be combined with {{transliteration|zh|[[douchi]]}} or Chinese fermented black beans in a dish called [[fried dace with salted black beans]]. It can be served cooked with vegetables such as [[Chinese cabbage]].
* [[Fisherman's soup]]
* [[Kuai (dish)|Kuai]]
* [[Taramosalata]]
* [[Masgouf]], a popular [[Iraqi cuisine|Iraqi]] dish consisting of seasoned, grilled carp.
* [[Gefilte fish]], an [[Jewish cuisine#Ashkenazi|Ashkenazi Jewish]] dish made from a poached mixture of ground deboned fish, primarily carp, whitefish, and pike.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%" heights="150" caption="Carp-based dishes">
File:Catla fish kalia in a rich creamy gravy - Kolkata - West Bengal.jpg|alt=Catla kalia – a popular fish curry preparation from West Bengal, India|Catla kalia – a popular fish curry preparation from West Bengal, India
File:Carp Curry - Kolkata 2011-02-10 0974.JPG|Carp curry, India
File:Kroder Karpfen.JPG|Fried carp from [[Franconia]], Germany
File:Pan-Fried Carassius carassius.JPG|Pan-fried Crucian carp, Russia
File:Stedrovecerni smazeny kapr s bramborovym salatem.jpg|Traditional Christmas dinner – fried carp with potato salad, Czech Republic
File:Funameshi.JPG|Stir-fried Crucian carp with rice, Japan
File:Pepes ikan emas (pais lauk mas) Sunda.jpg|Carp fish in spices and herbs cooked in a banana leaf package, [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]]
File:Barbonymus gonionotus-Pla som861.jpg|Deep-fried chunk of pickled ({{transliteration|th|[[pla som]]}}) silver barb ({{transliteration|th|Pla taphian}})
File:Šarani na rašljama u Koprivnici.jpg|Barbecued carp, [[northern Croatia]]
File:Koikoku_at_Saku_city.jpg|Koikoku (thick [[miso]] soup with carp), Japan
</gallery>

==Common carp in culture==
{{Infobox Chinese
|title=Common carp
|pic=Carp (Chinese characters).svg
|piccap=The original Chinese character for "carp" in [[seal script]] (top), Traditional (middle), and Simplified (bottom) characters
|picupright=0.275
|t=鯉魚
|s=鲤鱼
|l="carp-fish"
|p=lǐyú
|w=li<sup>3</sup>-yü<sup>2</sup>
|mi={{IPAc-cmn|l|i|3|.|yu|2}}
|j=lei<sup>5</sup>-jyu<sup>4</sup>
|y=léih-yùh
|ci={{IPAc-yue|l|ei|5|.|j|yu|4}}
|kanji=鯉
|romaji=koi
}}

=== In Chinese literature ===

A long tradition of common carp exists in Chinese culture and literature. A popular lyric circulating as early as 2,000 years ago in the late [[Han period]] includes an anecdote which relates how a man far away from home sent back to his wife a pair of carp ({{zh|s=鲤鱼|p=Liyu}}), in which, when the wife opened the fish to cook, she found a silk strip that carried a love note of just two lines: "Eat well to keep fit, missing you and forget me not".

===Jumping carp the Chinese folk tale===
[[File:Carp in the flight - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Mirror carp jumping up into the air]]

At the [[Yellow River]] at [[Henan]] ({{Zh|c=河南|p=Hénán|w=Ho-nan}}) is a waterfall called the [[Longmen (mythology)|Dragon Gate]]. It is said that if certain carp called ''yulong'' can climb the cataract, they will transform into dragons. Every year in the third month of spring, they swim up from the sea and gather in vast numbers in the pool at the foot of the falls. It used to be said that only 71 could make the climb in any year. When the first succeeded, then the rains would begin to fall. This Dragon Gate was said to have been created after the flood by the god-emperor Yu, who split a mountain blocking the path of the Yellow River. It was so famous that throughout China was a common saying, "a student facing his examinations is like a carp attempting to leap the Dragon Gate."

Henan is not the only place where this happens. Many other waterfalls in China also have the name Dragon Gate and much the same is said about them. Other famous Dragon Gates are on the Wei River where it passes through the Lung Sheu Mountains and at Tsin in Shanxi Province.

The fish's jumping feature is set in such a proverbial idiom as "''Liyu'' (Carp) jumps over the Dragon Gate ({{zh|s=鲤跃龙门}})," an idiom that conveys a vivid image symbolizing a sudden uplifting in one's social status, as when one ascends into the upper society or has found favor with the royal or a noble family, perhaps through marriage, but in particular through success in the [[imperial examination]]. It is therefore an idiom often used to encourage students or children to achieve success through hard work and perseverance. This symbolic image, as well as the image of the carp itself, has been one of the most popular themes in Chinese paintings, especially those of popular styles. The fish is usually colored in gold or pink, shimmering with an unmistakably auspicious tone. 

=== In Japanese culture ===
The modern Japanese [[Koi]] fish are a brightly colored species of the [[Cyprinus rubrofuscus|Amur carp]] that have been bred by rice farmers in Japan since the early 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-25 |title=Japanese koi |url=https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/japanese-koi |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Smithsonian's National Zoo |language=en}}</ref> This subspecies of carp plays a significant role in Japanese art, often being depicted as symbols of luck, strength, and tenacity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-06 |title=The Koi Carp Fish in Japan: What is Their Significance? - Interac Network |url=https://interacnetwork.com/what-is-the-significance-of-the-koi-carp-in-japan/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=interacnetwork.com |language=en-US}}</ref> For this reason, Koi fish are also presented as gifts in Japanese culture as symbols of love, gratitude, and peace. Their bright colors and unique patterns present a high degree of eloquence to the Japanese people, thus creating a level of respect and appreciation for the Koi.

With Koi fish being at the forefront of a lot of Japanese art, it is common to find modern depictions of Koi in paintings, home art, murals, and even tattoos.

To many people, Koi fish strongly represent [[Samurai]] warriors, as they are able to be seen swimming upwards against a rivers current, symbolizing a Samurai's bravery. One typical saying is the phrase "koi no taki-nobori", translating to "Carp climbing the waterfalls", a phrase that is used to describe a persons strength and perseverance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Informer (Abi) |first=Pond |date=2021-05-20 |title=A History of Koi in Mythology [Updated] |url=https://pondinformer.com/koi-mythology/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Pond Informer |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Invasive species]]
* [[Oily fish]]
* [[Rough fish]]
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==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite journal |last1=Chistiakov |first1=D. |last2=Voronova |first2=N. |title=Genetic evolution and diversity of common carp Cyprinus carpio L.  |journal=Cent. Eur. J. Biol. |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=304–312 |year=2009 |doi=10.2478/s11535-009-0024-2 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite book |last=Molokhovet︠s︡ |first=Elena |title=Classic Russian Cooking: Elena Molokhovets' a Gift to Young Housewives |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=1998 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ttlCGJxfLRUC&pg=PA674 |page=674 |isbn=978-0-253-21210-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Strybel |first1=Robert |last2=Strybel |first2=Maria |title=Polish Heritage Cookery |publisher=Hippocrene Books |year=2005 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UtA6-pyGJmMC&pg=PA384 |page=384 |isbn=978-0-7818-1124-8}}

== External links ==

* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{carp|state=expanded}}
{{commercial fish topics}}

{{Seafood}}
{{Meat|state=collapsed}}
{{Christmas|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Carp| ]]
[[Category:Commercial fish]]
[[Category:Fish common names]]
[[Category:Fish of Europe]]
[[Category:Fish of East Asia]]
[[Category:Fish of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Fishkeeping]]
[[Category:Oily fish]]
[[Category:Game fish]]
[[Category:Christmas food]]