Cyprinus, Linnaeus, 1758

Cyprinus View in CoL

A genus of about 24 species distributed mainly in southern China and northern Vietnam. Several species were endemic to lakes and may have formed adaptive radiations and species flocks. All these radiations are extinct, and only a few of the species involved remain. A few locally and regionally endemic carps are known from East Asia, all potentially under massive pressure from introduced non-native carps.In West Asia,only Cyprinus carpio is native.In Europe,carp appears to have been domesticated since the Middle Ages, and cultivated stocks are domesticated from the Danube wild population. Wild stocks occur naturally only in rivers draining the Black, Caspian, and Aral Seas. Carps are now found almost everywhere in West Asia.Since the 1960s, they have spread massively into all reservoirs and other large bodies of water. Interestingly, carp are relatively rare in most natural bodies of water and seem to have established populations primarily in large rivers and reservoirs. Japanese ornamental varieties (koi) are thought to be derived from C. rubrofuscus or to be hybrids with C. carpio . However, molecular data do not support this hypothesis, sug- gesting instead that the native range of C. carpio extends deep into China, with many native Chinese populations belonging to this species. The situation may be complicated by the wide- spread introduction of European carp into the native range of C. rubrofuscus .

Cyprinus carpio is widely cultivated around the world and is one of the most important species for aquaculture and inland fisheries in temperate regions. Although it is considered a pest in some countries, such as the USA, it is generally regarded as a valuable addition to fishing opportunities. In West Asia, where it is non-native to most catchment areas, it has been and still is stocked widely. The presence of carp outside of its native range is perceived as normal. If you ask someone at a reservoir which fish live there, the answer is almost always carp. Carp are especially recognised and appreciated because they grow big.Humans are fascinated by big fish, whether for food, recreational fishing or just to see them. Catching big fish is an ancient, deeply ingrained human fascination, and the person who catches a big fish is highly regarded by their social circle. Carp is one of the few large species that is ecologically well- suited to being stocked in artificial water bodies. Silurus glanis is another. The production of carp is big business, with all kinds of equipment available, ranging from bait and fishing tackle to fish finders, tents, video games, films and clothing. It is just another multi-million-pound industry. Carp angling is also a social event with international competitions and tourist travels. The internet is full of offers of what one needs and can do to catch ‘the big carp’. As with all businesses, the aim is to expand and create new markets. West Asian countries are a new market for all carp fishing products. All that is needed is enough advertising to convince people to buy them. Reservoirs and carp already exist everywhere and are perceived as normal and native, even though they are only native to a very small part of the area.