The Common Carp or European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a widespread freshwater fish in lakes and rivers, native to Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to many other countries and is regarded as an invasive species.

The Common Carp has bronze or yellowish scales with serrated dorsal and anal fin spines.

Common Carp can grow to very large sizes with adequate space and nutrients. However, the average size of the Common Carp is around 40–80 centimetres (16-32 inches) long.

Common Carp, Lake Naivasha in Kenya

The Common carp prefers slow moving or still water, and it prefers warm water.

It is omnivorous, which means that it eats all things, such as plants, insects, crabs, and worms.

Females lay about 300,000 eggs at a time on vegetation in the water. The eggs hatch in about a week. Most of the eggs will die from bacteria and fungi, or by predators. Their predators include birds, such as herons and cormorants, as well as mammals, such as otters.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM