• Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows and Carps) • Other Names: Mirror
carp, leather carp, koi • Ohio Status: Introduced • Adult Size:
Typically 15-30 inches, can reach over 40 inches. Usually weighs
5-10 pounds, can reach 50-60 pounds. • Typical Foods: Will eat a
wide variety of items including, insect larvae, crustaceans,
mollusks, some aquatic plants, fish eggs, and even small fish.
The common carp can be easily identified by several features.
First, there are two barbels on each side of the mouth. No other
species that closely resembles the carp has these barbels.
Second, the dorsal and anal fins have spines at the front edge
of the fins that are serrated. Most carp are bronze-gold to
golden yellow on the sides and yellowish white on the belly.
Partially scaled or scaleless individuals are frequently caught
by fishermen: these are known as "half-scaled," "mirror" or
"leather" carp. Also brightly colored common carp are known as
"koi" and are often sold as ornamental fish for garden ponds.
Common carp differ from