Taxonomy
Cyprinus carpio | Common Carp | Carbán coiteann
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Legal status
Third Schedule listed species under Regulations 49 & 50 in the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. (Note: Regulation 50 not yet enacted). Republic of Ireland: protected by Coarse Fish bye-law No. 806, 2006: maximum 4 fish per angler per day; no killing of coarse fish > 25cm.
First reported in the wild
1634
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of Medium Impact
Irish status
Occasionally present, casual, vagrant, migratory
Introduction pathways - 1
Release in Nature
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Fishing in the wild
Invasive score
16
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Generally smaller than 1m in length or 6kg in weight, body rounded, large rubbery lips with two pairs of barbels, long concave dorsal fin, colour varies based on habitat and form ranging from silver to brown flanks with a fading to creamy white belly (Bolton, 2004). 4 forms exist: common carp with even spread of large scales; mirror carp lightly covered in rows of unevenly placed scales; leather carp, almost scale less; koi carp (ornamental carp) highly coloured (Bolton, 2004).
Ecology
Carp are omnivorous and typically feed on the bottom of shallow lakes (Bolton, 2004), but due to the presence of the species in parts of Ireland for long periods and its inability, in most cases, to naturally increase its population it is difficult to quantify its impacts (King et al., 2011). Carp show differing preferences to aquatic plants, while macrophytes (aquatic plants large enough to be seen with the naked eye) differ in their ability to resist herbivory (Miller & Provenza, 2007), meaning any impacts in freshwater ecosystems were it is present would be difficult to detect. Impacts of carp invasion in a restored lake in United States was found to be related to density of carp (Bajer et al., 2009). For 5 years the carp biomass was >30 kg/ha and had no effect on plant cover or waterfowl in the lake (90% cover and 150,000 individuals) but once values increased above 100kg/ha a 50% decline in plant cover and waterfowl numbers were detected (Bajer et al., 2009). Once the biomass of carp increased to over 250kg/ha, 7 years after restoration work on the lake, plant cover and waterfowl numbers were at less than 17% and 10% of their original values respectively (Bajer et al.,2009).
Habitat
Inland surface waters
Reproduction
Carp require water temperatures above 20°C for spawning that are only thought to be realised on a regular basis in a small number of lakes "in the south of the country and in one lake in the midlands" (King et al., 2011). As such populations in Ireland are maintained with stocked populations (King et al., 2011). However carp are highly fecund with one gravid (egg carrying) female producing over a million eggs (Bolton, 2004).
Pathway and vector description
Introduced into Ireland circa 1600, the first record of this species from the wild of 1634 is likely to be several years after its introduction (West, 1950 in Lever, 2009).
Mechanism of impact
Competition, Predation, Disease transmission, Grazing/Herbivory/Browsing
Broad environment
Freshwater
Habitat description
Generally found in lowland lakes and rivers, however distribution in Ireland is based on stocking regime (Bolton, 2004).
Species group
Vertebrate
Native region
Europe, Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Occasional - Widespread but not established, species does not successfully breed in Ireland so populations must be continuously replenished with farmed stock (King et al., 2011). Scattered populations currently present in Ireland from a number at different locations.
Native distribution
Native to Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, it has been introduced around the world where it is cultivated in large quantities for human consumption and sport fishing (Freyhof & Kottelat, 2008)
Temporal change
Date of first record category
Pre-1900
Fifty year date category
Unknown
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Further information
Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) of the SSC- Species Survival Commission of the IUCN -International Union for Conservation Nature consider carp one of the 100 Worst Invaders globally. While generally small (<6kg) carp of 25.6kg and 27.7kg have been caught in Britain (Bolton, 2004).
References
Publications
Bajer, P. G., Sullivan, G., & Sorensen, P. W. (2009). Effects of a rapidly increasing population of common carp on vegetative cover and waterfowl in a recently restored Midwestern shallow lake. Hydrobiologia, 632(1), 235-245.
Bolton, P. (2004) Common Carp Cyprinus carpio. In: Freshwater fishes in Britain the species and distribution.
Davies, C., Shelley, J., Harding, P., McLean, I., Gardiner, R. & Peirson, G. (eds). Harley Books, Essex. Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M. 2008. Cyprinus carpio. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008 [Online].
Lever, C (2009). The Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland. New Holland Publishers, London.
King, J.L., Marnell, F., Kingston, N., Rosell, R., Boylan, P., Caffrey, J.M., FitzPatrick, Ú., Gargan, P.G., Kelly, F.L., O’Grady, M.F., Poole, R., Roche, W.K. & Cassidy, D. (2011) Ireland Red List No. 5: Amphibians, Reptiles & Freshwater Fish. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
Miller, S. A., & Provenza, F. D. (2007). Mechanisms of resistance of freshwater macrophytes to herbivory by invasive juvenile common carp. Freshwater Biology, 52(1), 39-49.
Went, A. E. J. (1950). Notes on the introduction of some Freshwater fish into Ireland. Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 47:119-124.
Relevant links
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species