Common name: Common Carp
Family: Minnows
Species: Cyprinus carpio
Description: The common carp is a heavy bodied minnow with barbells on both sides of the upper lip. Common carp are colored different; they vary from brassy green or yellow, to golden brown, or even silver. The most common weight and length among this fish are between 12-25 inches and between 8-10 pounds. This fish may live eight to 15 years
Habitat: Common carp live in streams, lakes, pounds, and rivers wherever there are a lot of aquatic plants. They usually live in warm water.
Range/migration: The Common carp was introduced in the United States and Canada by people from Europe. Common carp are now a worldwide fish.
Food: Common carp eat fish eggs, algae, other water plants, insects, earthworms, snails, and crayfish. They also eat old dead plant parts from the bottom.
Reproduction: Carp generally spawn in the spring and early summer depending upon the climate. A typical female (about 17.5 inches) may produce 300,000 eggs, with some estimates as high as one million over the breeding season. By the time the fish reach 1/3 of an inch the yolk disappears and they begin to actively feed.
Enemies: The main enemies of the adult common carp are humans. Other predators of young carp include large fish such as Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass. Birds such as great blue herons also eat them.
More information:
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/ExoticSpecies/commoncarp.htm
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/species/crp/crp.htm http://members.tripod.com/~huntingfishing/carp.htm