CARP, COMMON
Scientific Name:
Cyprinus carpio
Fish Group:
Carp
Salt/Fresh:
Fresh
Also Known As:
Common Carp; European Carp; Mirror Carp; Calico Carp; Koi; Asian Carp; Carpe Commune; Karp; CARP, COMMON
Rating:
Description:
Carp are a pest in Australian Waterways (particularly Murray / Darling systems) that was introduced in 1876.
How To Identify:
Olivey-Gold on the back fading into a golden yellow on the sides, it has fleshy whiskers underneath its mouth and quite large scales. Around the world they grow as large as 35 kgs. In Australis they grow as large as 12 kgs but most fish are between the 1-3 kgs although it is common to take them to about 5 kgs
How To Catch:
In Australia Carp are mostly considered a pest when fishing for our native inland species, however they can be quite a sport species on the right tackle. Mostly fished for with bait including worms, shrimp, dough and quite often soft corn kernels. I have found best fished with just a small running sinker to a hook about size 1.
Where Found:
Carp originated in Asia and rivers of the black sea. Carp are highly regarded in Europe where they are farmed and breed. They have been introduced around the world and are an extremely tough survivor. They can now be found throughout Europe, Asia, South American, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the United States below the 50th parallel right down to Florida panhandle. Found throughout inland waters of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
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