Carp

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Mon 30 May 2011 22:17
Carp
 
 
 
 
 
 

Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. Carp have long been an important food fish to humans, as well as popular ornamental fishes such as the various goldfish breeds and the domesticated common carp variety known as koi. As a result, carp have been introduced to various locations, though with mixed results. Several species of carp are listed as invasive species by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and worldwide large sums of money are spent on carp control. Bear and his 'little one', weighing in at thirty one pounds.

 

 

 

Aquaculture: Various species of carp have been domesticated and reared as food fish across Europe and Asia for thousands of years. These various species appear to have been domesticated independently, as the various domesticated carp species are native to different parts of Eurasia. For example, the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio are originally from Central Europe. Several carp species (collectively known as Asian Carp) were domesticated in East Asia. Carp that are originally from South Asia, for example catla (Gibelion catla), rohu (Labeo rohita) and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus), are known as Indian carp. Their hardiness and adaptability have allowed domesticated species to be propagated all around the world. Although initially the carp was an important aquatic food item, as more fish species have become readily available for the table, the importance of carp culture in Western Europe has become less important because of declining demand, partly due to the appearance of more desirable table fish such as trout and salmon through intensive farming, and environmental constraints. However, fish production in ponds is still a major form of aquaculture in Central/Eastern Europe, including the Russian Federation where most of the production comes from low intensity or semi-intensive ponds. In Asia, the farming of carp continues to surpass the total amount of farmed fish volume of intensively sea-farmed species such as salmon and tuna.

 

 

 

 
Six different coloured koi and a smaller goldfish.
 
 
As Ornamental fish: Carp, along with many of their cyprinid relatives, are popular ornamental aquarium and pond fish. The two most notable ornamental carps are goldfish and koi. Goldfish and koi have advantages over most other ornamental fishes, in that they are tolerant of cold (they can survive in water temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius), can survive at low oxygen levels, and can tolerate low water quality. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were originally domesticated from the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), a dark greyish brown carp native to Asia. They were first bred for colour in China over a thousand years ago. Due to selective breeding, goldfish have been developed into many distinct breeds and are found in various colours, colour patterns, forms and sizes far different from those of the original carp. Goldfish were kept as ornamental fish in China for hundreds of years before being introduced to Japan in the 15th century, and to Europe in the late 17th century. Koi are a domesticated variety of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that have been selectively culled for colour. The common carp was introduced from China to Japan, where selective breeding of the common carp in the 1820’s in the Niigata region resulted in koi. In Japanese culture, koi are treated with affection, and seen as good luck. They are popular in other parts of the world as outdoor pond fish. Apparently, £460,000 is the current record price paid for a Koi. On average the majority of Koi sell for £5-£25.

 

 

As sport fish: Izaak Walton (9th August 1593 – 15th December 1683) said about carp in The Compleat Angler, "The Carp is the queen of rivers; a stately, a good and a very subtle fish; that was not at first bred, nor hath been long in England, but is now naturalised."

 

Carp are variable in terms of angling value: In Europe, even when not fished for food, they are eagerly sought by anglers, being considered highly prized coarse fish that are difficult to hook. The UK has a thriving carp angling market. It is the fastest growing angling market in the UK and has spawned a number of specialised carp angling publications such as 'Carpology', 'advanced carp fishing', 'carpworld' and 'TotalCarp' also many an informative carp angling web site such as Carpfishing UK, Carpit and obviously our favourite www.canadiancarpclub.on.ca

 
 
In the United States, the carp is also classified as a rough fish as well as damaging naturalised exotic species but with sporting qualities. Many states' departments of natural resources are beginning to view the carp as an angling fish instead of a maligned pest. Groups such as the Carp Anglers Group and American Carp Society promote the sport and work with fisheries departments to organize events to introduce and expose others to the unique opportunity the carp offers freshwater anglers. Rod and reel are often traded for bow and arrow.
 
 

 

 

 

This is a picture of the biggest carp ever caught on rod and line, and a new world record carp, weighing in at a colossal 99lb. The captor, British angler Ambrose Smith, admitted he ‘felt like doing a somersault’ after catching the new world record carp from The Graviers fishery, near Dijon, in France. As well as smashing the former record, set by fellow UK angler Martin Locke in January with a 94lb carp from another French venue, Rainbow Lake, the huge mirror, which is known as the ‘Scar Fish’, also obliterated Ambrose’s personal best of 57lb.

 

 

 

 

One angling guide from Thailand has managed to catch what is believed to be the largest carp ever caught in the history of sport fishing. Fishing Adventures Thailand professional guide Kik's carp was found to weigh some 265 pounds after he caught it on the Bung Sam Lan Lake on the 2nd of July 2007.

 

 

 

 

A British fish fan has taken delivery of the world's biggest koi carp - a 4ft monster that tips the scales at a staggering six-and-a-half-stone. The mammoth fish - nicknamed the Big Girl - is the size of a 12-year-old child and three times larger than any other carp in the UK. Enthusiast Geoff Lawton paid an undisclosed sum for the 17-year-old koi from a specialist breeder in Japan. But he has already put a £30,000 plus price tag on the 90lbs specimen. 

 

 

 

 

                                                                               As Tattoo designs: Very popular especially among the Japanese.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL IN ALL WE LIKE THEM

                      BIG FISH, BIG FIGHTERS, HUGE FUN