Common Carp

Identifying Characteristics

A Common Carp being measured during a fisheries sampling event. Photo by ©Scott Herrmann

• A moderately deep, stout-bodied fish, with a high back and large scales
• Spinelike ray at the insertion point of the dorsal and anal fins
• A large downsloped head
• Sucker-like mouth with barbels present
• A long, anteriorly falcate (sickle shaped) dorsal fin
• Moderately forked caudal fin

“Mirror Carp”

A Common Carp with an uncommon scale pattern, resembling what is often referred to as a Mirror Carp. Photo by ©Scott Herrmann

• A Common Carp with a unique scale growth pattern resulting in areas without overlapping scales or having sporadic scale dispersion
• Not a separate species
• Uncommon in Virginia

Distribution

Common Carp are native to portions of Asia and Europe, but were introduced throughout Virginia in the 1800s. Common Carp are most abundant in Virginia’s larger rivers and tidal freshwater systems.

Diet

Common Carp are benthic trophic generalists, consuming practically any food item they can fit in their mouth. In many of Virginia’s waters they regularly sift through mud, feeding on small crustaceans, macroinvertebrates, worms, fish eggs, and mussels. They will also consume vegetation, seeds, and even terrestrial insects such as cicadas when opportunity is presented.

Habitat

Common Carp thrive in large slow-moving, or still bodies of water. They often school in areas that have soft, muddy bottoms where they can conceal themselves in aquatic vegetation and scavenge food items buried within the substrate.

DWR Biologist Tamara Doucette taking measurements on a Common Carp from the tidal portion of the Rappahannock River. Photo by ©Scott Herrmann – DWR