Carp facts for kids
The Carp is a fish that lives in fresh water, like rivers and lakes. In Europe and Asia, people like carp for fishing and eating. But in countries like the U.S. and Australia, carp can be a big problem. They stir up mud from the bottom of the water, making it dirty, and people there don't like them.
Some popular ornamental fish, such as the koi and goldfish, are also types of carp.
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Carp Farming
People have been raising different kinds of carp for food for thousands of years. This is called fish farming or aquaculture. Carp were first farmed in different parts of Eurasia. For example, the common carp came from Central Europe.
Other types of carp, known as Asian carp, were first farmed in East Asia. Carp from South Asia, like catla and rohu, are called Indian carp. Carp are tough and can live in many places, which has helped them spread around the world.
In Western Europe, carp farming is not as popular as it used to be. People now prefer other fish like trout and salmon. But in Central and Eastern Europe, including Russia, farming carp in ponds is still very important. In Asia, more carp are farmed than popular sea fish like salmon and tuna.
Carp as Pets
Carp and their relatives are popular as pets in aquariums and ponds. The most famous pet carp are goldfish and koi. These fish are great pets because they can handle cold water (down to 4°C), low oxygen, and not-so-perfect water quality.
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were first bred from a dark greyish-brown carp called the Prussian carp. This happened in China over a thousand years ago. Through special breeding, goldfish now come in many different colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes. They look very different from their wild ancestors. Goldfish were kept as pets in China for hundreds of years before going to Japan in the 1400s and Europe in the late 1600s.
Koi are a type of common carp that have been specially bred for their beautiful colors. Common carp came from China to Japan. In the 1820s, people in Japan started breeding them to create the colorful koi we see today. In Japanese culture, koi are loved and seen as a sign of good luck. They are popular pond fish all over the world.
Carp for Sport Fishing
Many people enjoy fishing for carp. Izaak Walton, a famous writer, called the carp "the queen of rivers" because it is a strong and smart fish.
- In Europe, anglers (people who fish) love to catch carp. They are considered a prized fish because they are hard to catch. The UK has a very popular carp fishing scene, with many magazines and websites about it.
- In the United States, carp were once seen as a "rough fish" or a pest. But now, many states are starting to see carp as a fun fish to catch. Groups like the Carp Anglers Group help teach people about carp fishing.
Carp as Food
Many people around the world eat carp.
- Bighead carp is eaten in many places, but it's not very popular in North America. This is partly because of the name "carp," which people there often link to the common carp, which isn't a favorite food fish. Bighead carp meat is white and firm, different from the darker, richer common carp. Bighead carp can have small bones in their meat, but since they are often larger, these bones are easier to deal with.
- Common carp, often breaded and fried, is a traditional Christmas Eve dinner in countries like Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
- Crucian carp is thought to be one of the best-tasting pan fish in Poland. It's called karaś and is often served with sour cream. In Russia, it's called "golden crucian" and is used in a soup called borshch s karasej.
- Mud carp is often eaten by people who need low-cost food. It's usually sold alive, but can also be dried and salted. This fish is sometimes canned or made into fish cakes, fish balls, or dumplings.
- Chinese mud carp is an important food fish in Guangdong Province, China, and also in Taiwan. In Chinese cooking, it's often used to make fish balls and dumplings. It can be cooked with fermented black beans or vegetables like Chinese cabbage.
Carp Dishes Around the World
- Fisherman's soup
- Kuai
- Taramasalata (a dip)
- Masgouf, a grilled carp dish from Iraq
- Gefilte fish, a Jewish dish made from ground fish, often carp
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Carp curry, India
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Fried carp from Franconia, Germany
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Pan-fried Crucian carp, Russia
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Traditional Christmas dinner - fried carp with potato salad, Czech Republic
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Stir-fried Crucian carp with rice, Japan
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Carp fish cooked in a banana leaf package, Sundanese
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Deep-fried pickled silver barb
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Barbecued carp, northern Croatia
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Images for kids
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Common carp, Cyprinus carpio
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Carp have been domesticated for decoration in their koi form
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Goldfish and other carp from Fish Swimming Amid Falling Flowers, a Song dynasty painting by Liu Cai (c. 1080–1120)
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Different colored koi
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Black carp -
Bighead carp -
Catla kalia – a popular fish curry preparation from West Bengal, India
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See also
In Spanish: Carpa (pez) para niños
