Wild Common Carp

Etymology The name of the genus Cyprinus comes from the Ancient Greek word  kyprînos (κυpρίνος, “carp”) and carpio from the Latin meaning the same.   Description The wild common carp belongs to the family Cyprinidae in the genus Cyprinus and is a so called “oily” fish (about 30% of oil in their tissue). Only one species Cyprinus is found in the Prespa Lakes. The body is relatively high and laterally flat, covered with relatively large scales. Each scale, at the top of the free end is dark spotted. The head is relatively small, compared to the body. The mouth is terminal, facing upward. At the both ends it has two pairs of barbells. It is characteristic that the carp lips can elongate like an accordion. The dorsal fin is high, little emarginated, and starts from the highest ridge of the back, before the abdominal fin, and ends after the end of the anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply emarginated. The body of carp from the top is dark gray-green and golden-yellow sides. The colour of the abdominal side is yellow white. The eyes are yellowish in colour.   Biology According to the substrate of spawning it belongs to the phytophylic ecological group of fish (spawning on aquatic vegetation). The time of spawning is quite extended and sexually mature individuals can be found at the end of April when water temperatures in the coastal regions are higher than 18⁰C, until the end of June. The number of eggs is quite varied and depends upon the age of the individuals and their weight. The number of eggs per female ranges from 30 000 to 1 000 000. The eggs are sticky and they attach to the submersed vegetation, and during the whole incubation period they are above the muddy bottom. The carp mature at different ages. Males reach sexual maturity in the second or third year, while females reach sexual maturity a year later. It lives up to 50 years and usually spawns every year. Carp can grow to more than 120 cm and more than 15 kg in weight. In the Prespa Lakes there is evidence of 25 kg individuals. These specimens are quite rare. The carp offspring feed with smaller zooplankton. While growing it becomes omnivorous (small benthic animals, zooplankton and vegetation). In the Prespa Lakes it spawns mainly in the reed belts.   Distribution The carp has perhaps the largest fish distribution – Asia to Europe in waters ranging in temperature from 3 to 35 ⁰C. It has been introduced throughout the world. It is believed that in this area it was brought 2000 years ago by the Romans. Thus, although non-native by origin, according it is accepted as a domestic species.   Fishing significance The most valued commercial and recreational fish.   Threats Potential threat from water abstraction, pollution and hybridisation with introduced stocks is a major threat.   Conservation actions Strictly limited fishing quotas and stocking programme.   Impact It is accepted as a domestic species with established populations.