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Carp (Common)

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Cyprinus carpio
Carp (Common)

Range

They are found from central canada, throughout the U.S. and south into central Mexico. They are considered one of the common fish species in North America.

Habitat

They live in slow moving water, marshes or large ponds and lakes with mucky bottoms. They do well in fresh water or brackish water (slightly salty).

Body Traits

They keep growing throughout their lives. They can reach 5 feet long and weigh over 80 pounds. They can be bronze to green colored, lighter below. They have very visible scales and small whiskers.

Habits

They like to travel in schools.

Diet

They eat water plants mostly, but also insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish eggs and any dead matter that they find.

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District subscriptions provide huge group discounts for their schools. Email for a quote: sheri@exploringnature.org.

Reproduction

A female lays as many as 300,000 eggs in shallow water and the male fertilizes them. Most are eaten by other fish.

Carp (Common)

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Suborder: None
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Cyprinus
Species: C. carpio

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