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Carp is a common name for various species of an oily freshwater fish of the
family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The
cypriniformes (family cyprinidae) is traditionally grouped with the
Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder
Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain common features such as being
found predominantly in fresh water and the fact that they possess Weberian
ossicles (an anatomical structure originally made up of small pieces of bone
formed from four or five of the first vertebrae); the most anterior bony pair is
in contact with the extension of the labyrinth and the posterior with the
swimbladder. The function is poorly understood but it is presumed that this
structure takes part in the transmission of vibrations from the swimbladder to
the labyrinth and in the perception of sound, which explains why the
Ostariophysi have such a great capacity for hearing.
Most cypriniformes have scales and teeth on the inferior pharyngeal bones which
may be modified in relation to the diet. Tribolodon is the only cyprinid genus
which tolerates salt water, although there are several species which move into
brackish water but which return to fresh water to spawn. All of the other
cypriniformes live in continental waters and have a wide geographical range.
Some consider all cyprinid fishes carp, and the family Cyprinidae itself is
often known as the carp family. In colloquial use, however, carp usually refers
only to several larger cyprinid species such as Cyprinus carpio (common carp),
Carassius carassius (Crucian carp), Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp),
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (silver carp), and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
(bighead carp). Carp have long been an important food fish to humans, as well as
popular ornamental fishes such as the various goldfish breeds and the
domesticated common carp variety known as koi. As a result, carp have been
introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of
carp are listed as invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and
worldwide large sums of money are spent on carp control.
Various species of carp have been domesticated and reared as food fish across
Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have
been domesticated independently, as the various domesticated carp species are
native to different parts of Eurasia. For example, the Common carp Cyprinus
carpio are originally from Central Europe. Several carp species (collectively
known as Asian carp) were domesticated in East Asia. Carp that are originally
from South Asia, for example catla (Gibelion catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and
mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), are known as Indian carp. Their hardiness and
adaptability have allowed domesticated species to be propagated all around the
world.
Although initially the carp was an important aquatic food item, as more fish
species have become readily available for the table, the importance of carp
culture in Western Europe has become less important because of declining demand,
partly due to the appearance of more desirable table fish such as trout and
salmon through intensive farming, and environmental constraints. However, fish
production in ponds is still a major form of aquaculture in Central/Eastern
Europe, including the Russian Federation where most of the production comes from
low intensity or semi-intensive ponds. In Asia, the farming of carp continues to
surpass the total amount of farmed fish volume of intensively sea-farmed species
such as salmon and tuna.
Carp, along with many of their cyprinid relatives, are popular ornamental
aquarium and pond fish. The two most notable ornamental carps are goldfish and
koi. Goldfish and koi have advantages over most other ornamental fishes, in that
they are tolerant of cold (they can survive in water temperatures as low as 4
degrees Celsius), can survive at low oxygen levels, and can tolerate low water
quality.
Six different colored koi and a smaller goldfish.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were originally domesticated from the Prussian carp
(Carassius gibelio), a dark greyish brown carp native to Asia. They were first
bred for color in China over a thousand years ago. Due to selective breeding,
goldfish have been developed into many distinct breeds and are found in various
colors, color patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original
carp. Goldfish were kept as ornamental fish in China for hundreds of years
before being introduced to Japan in the 15th century, and to Europe in the late
17th century.
Koi are a domesticated variety of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that have been
selectively culled for color. The common carp was introduced from China to
Japan, where selective breeding of the common carp in the 1820s in the Niigata
region resulted in koi. In Japanese culture, koi are treated with affection, and
seen as good luck. They are popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond
fish.
Carp fishing,
Izaak Walton said about carp in The Compleat Angler, "The Carp is the queen of
rivers; a stately, a good, and a very subtil fish; that was not at first bred,
nor hath been long in England, but is now naturalised."
Carp are variable in terms of angling value.
In Europe, even when not fished for food, they are eagerly sought by anglers,
being considered highly prized coarse fish that are difficult to hook. The UK
has a thriving carp angling market.
In the United States, the carp is also classified as a rough fish as well as
damaging naturalized exotic species but with sporting qualities.
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