The Common Carp
Is this species a producer, consumer, scavenger, or decomposer?
What was the original source of the species?
Carp originate from Asia but primarily China. In Asia, they were bread for food from as early as 1000 BC.
How did the organisms gain entry into the region or country?
Carp now live in most continents and an estimated 59 different countries. In most countries, carp were introduced for sporting and food such as in Europe, but sometimes carp were imported illegally. In Australia, carp were brought for sporting reasons and released in the early 1850’s. During the 1960’s, carp were illegally imported into Victoria, Australia from Germany.
In the late 1800s, carp were distributed widely throughout the USA by the government as a food-fish, but they are no longer used as a food-fish. It is said that carp are believed to have been introduced into the Canadian province of British Colombia from Washington. They were first noted in the Okanagan Valley in 1912.
Describe the organism’s life cycle and other general information about organisms that you were able to find.
The common carp is part of the minnow family but can be easily identified by two pairs of barbells on each side of its upper jaw. The colours that it can be found in are: brass, bronze or yellow. Most common carp grow 12-25 inches in length and 1-10 pounds in weight.
The common carp is a warm water species and likes to live in muddy areas. Mating season normally occurs in May through July in shallow waters. The eggs (100,000-500,000 eggs in total) are stuck to underwater vegetation and hatch in less than a week. Adult carp can be found in deeper water. Depending on their size, most carp live between 15 and 18 years of age. Larger carp live longer.
What affect did the foreign species have on the ecosystem that is has invaded?
Because of their adaptability, carp have been