The Carp is not native to Irish waters. It was brought over from Asia about 200 years ago, and released into local lakes. It has spread steadily since, and is targeted by specialist anglers, particularly in the Shannon region. | |||
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The Carp is part of a large family of fish, which include ornamental pond fish such as Koi and Goldfish. The types of Carp found in Irish waters are the Mirror Carp, Common Carp and Leather Carp (all breeds of the same species.) Carp have no real teeth, and instead graze algae from rocks, and filter the sandy lake bottom for small animals such as aquatic insects, worms and snails. Carp are long lived and can potentially grow to over 25kg weight, although this is unlikely to happen in Ireland due to the relatively cold climate.
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| Fishy Facts | |||
| Name: | Carp | Size: | 70cm |
| Other Name(s) : | N/A | Weight: | Up to 25kg |
| Irish Name : | Carbáb | Lifespan: | 40 years or more |
| Scientific Name : | Cyprinus carpio | Habitat: | Large ponds and lakes |
| Edible: | Yes, but it is rarely eaten in Ireland |
Where in Ireland is it found?: | Several locations, most commonly around the Shannon region |
| Food: Algae, small crustaceans and other invertebrates, other organic matter |
Interesting Fact : Although Carp don’t have any “real” teeth, they do possess over 100 “pharyngeal” teeth in their throat. These are designed to sieve out edible matter from sand and gravel, but they are incredibly powerful and will easily crush the fingers of anyone daft enough to stick their finger down a Carp’s throat! |
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