The common carp is a large freshwater fish of lakes and rivers in Europe and Asia. It has been domesticated and spread worldwide, where it’s often invasive, though wild populations are Vulnerable.
Quick answers
What is it?Fish
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?Yes
Carp have been domesticated for food and ornament and introduced worldwide.
Awake when?Day & night
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?Sometimes
Koi, the colourful ornamental carp kept in ponds, were bred in Japan from the 1820s.
Do people eat it?Yes
Farmed since Roman times, and spread across Europe as a food fish by monks.
At a glance
Found inWorldwide, Rivers
HabitatRivers & lakes, Wetland
ColoursGold, Brown, Orange
SizeLarge
LegsNone
Covered inScales
Lives ingroups
Lives for20–50 years
Can swim
Lays eggs
In the wild
- Where it lives
- Native to Europe and Asia; introduced worldwide.
- Conservation
- Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Did you know
Koi are coloured ornamental carp.
It is on the list of the world’s 100 worst invasive species.
Often confused with
On these lists
Sources
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