Common Carp

Color and proportions vary but all Carp have large, thick scales. They are torpedo-shaped and usually golden-yellow in color. It has two pairs of barbels near the mouth and a mesh-like pattern of large scales. Their body length is roughly four times the body height with a forward-protruding sucker-type mouth. Common Carp can grow to very large sizes if given adequate space and nutrients.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cyprinus carpio
CLASSIFICATION: Fish
LIFE SPAN: 13-47 Years
SIZE: 8-38” | 1-35lbs
STATE CONSERVATION STATUS: Unprotected
FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
GAME STATUS: Non-Game

Washoe
Humboldt
Pershing
Churchill
Mineral
Lyon
Douglas
Carson City
Storey

Elko
Lander
Eureka
White Pine

Esmeralda
Nye
Lincoln
Clark

Habitat & Range

Carp are native to Asia and Europe. The species was imported and stocked extensively throughout North America in the late 1800s as a food source and has prospered in almost every water where originally stocked. It can be found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds throughout Nevada.

Threats

Habitat Loss

Natural History

Common Carp were brought over from Eurasia as a food source for settlers. They’re preferred diet includes aquatic vegetation and fish eggs. These fish are not regulated in the United States and the species is on the 100 worst invasive species list. In Asia and Europe, they have been domesticated. Common Carp are very adaptable and breed easily.