Biology

Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Occur at a temperature range of 3-35°C. Hardy and tolerant of a wide variety of conditions but generally favor large water bodies with slow flowing or standing water and soft bottom sediments. Common carp thrive in large turbid rivers. They are omnivorous, feeding mainly on aquatic insects, crustaceans, annelids, mollusks, weed and tree seeds, wild rice, aquatic plants and algae; mainly by grubbing in sediments (Ref. 1998). Spawn in spring and summer, laying sticky eggs in shallow vegetation (Ref. 7248). A female 47 cm in length produces about 300,000 eggs (Ref. 6885). Young are probably preyed upon by northern pike, muskellunge, and largemouth bass. Adults uproot and destroy submerged aquatic vegetation and therefore may be detrimental to duck and native fish populations (Ref. 1998). Utilized fresh and frozen (Ref. 9987). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size >200 cm; not recommended for home aquariums (Ref. 51539).