Types of Asian Carp

"Asian Carp" is a general term refering to a number of related carp species native to Asia and some regions of Europe.  Here I have included a list of some of these carp and a basic description of each.

Grass Carp



In the United States, this fish is also known as the White Amur.  It was introduced to the United States for aquatic weed control.  Grass carp grow very rapidly, reaching approximently 3.9 feet when fully mature and weighing up to 40 pounds.  These big eaters consume almost three times their body weight each day.  Grass carp thrive in backwaters and small lakes where aquatic vegetation is abundant as a food source.

Common Carp



The wild populations of common carp in the Eurasian continent are considered to be vulnerable for extinction; at the same time, however, they are also considered to be invasive species in the United States and other countries worldwide.  They can grow to lengths of approximently 47 inches long and can weigh up to 88 pounds as an adult.  Common carp are very tolerant of most conditions, but they prefer living in large bodies of slow-moving water.  Common carp are also omnivorous eating both water vegetation such as plankton and and small organisms such as insects and crayfish.

Silver Carp



Pound for pound, more silver carp are produced worldwide in aquaculture than any other species of carp.  Silver carp are filter feeders, feeding primarily on phytoplankton and zooplankton.  Because of their eating habits, silver carp have been used to successfully control water quality.  The silver carp is also called the "flying carp" for its tendency to leap from the water when startled.  They can grow to over 40 pounds and can leap up to ten feet from the water.

Bighead Carp



Bighead carp have  large scaleless heads, a large mouth, and eyes located very low on the head.  They tend to have a mottled gray colaration as adults.  Bighead carp can weigh over 100 pounds.  These carp are closely related to silver carp being that they are both filter-feeders eating primarily phytoplankton and zooplankton.   Bighead carp are not always considered undesirable invasive species when they are introduced outside their native range, and they continue to be stocked in some waterbodies to support commercial fisheries.  Stocking bighead carp in fisheries usually increases the total biomass of fish available for harvest.

Black Carp

Black carp typically grow up to 3 feeet in length and can weigh up to 70 pounds as an adult.  This fish generally feed on snails mussels.  In China, black carp are the most highly esteemed and expensive foodfish among the "four domestic fishes"and, partly because of its diet and limited food supply, is the most scarce and expensive in the marketplace.  Black carp are considered to be a serious threat to mollusks native to the United States, many of which are critically endangered. In 2007, the black carp was listed as an "injurious species" under the Lacey Act. It is thus illegal in most cases to transport live black carp, whether sterile or fertile, into the United States or across state lines.

Common Goldfish

 Common goldfish come in a variety of colours including red, orange/gold, white, black and yellow.  This species of carp is a common pet fish species all over the world.  Common goldfish are social animals who prefer living in small groups.  Goldfish can have lifespans up to 20+ years if they are fed a varied diet and housed in exceptional water conditions.  The oldest recorded goldfish was 43 years old.