FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)

8/11/2019 FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)

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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

for a world without hungerFisheries and

Aquaculture Department

Cultured Aquatic Species Information Programme

Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)

I. Identitya. Biological Features

II. Profilea. Historical Background

b. Main Producer Countries

c. Habitat And Biology

III. Productiona. Production Cycle

b. Production Systems

c. Diseases And Control MeasuresIV. Statistics

a. Production Statistics

b. Market And Trade

V. Status And Trends

VI. Main Issuesa. Responsible Aquaculture Practices

VII. Referencesa. Related Links

Identity

Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758 [Cyprinidae]

FAO Names: En - Common carp, Fr - Carpe commune, Es - Carpa comn

Biological features

Body elongated and somewhat compressed. Lips thick. Two pairs of barbels at angle of mouth, shorter ones

on the upper lip. Dorsal fin base long with 17-22 branched rays and a strong, toothed spine in front; dorsal fin

outline concave anteriorly. Anal fin with 6-7 soft rays; posterior edge of 3rd dorsal and anal fin spines with

sharp spinules. Lateral line with 32 to 38 scales. Pharyngeal teeth 5:5, teeth with flattened crowns. Colour

variable, wild carp are brownish-green on the back and upper sides, shading to golden yellow ventrally. The

fins are dusky, ventrally with a reddish tinge. Golden carp are bred for ornamental purposes.

View SIDP Species fact sheet

Profile

Historical background

The carp was a luxury food in the middle and late Roman period, and it was consumed during fasting in the
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middle Ages. The fish were kept in storage ponds ('piscinae') by the Romans, and later in fish ponds

constructed by Christian monasteries. In this European practice the carp were kept in monoculture. The largest

individuals were selected as broodfish. From, the 12 thto the mid-14thcentury A.D. unintentional artificial

selection had taken place, the first steps towards domestication. Controlled semi-natural pond breeding and fry

rearing of carp started in the 19thcentury in Europe. Cyprinids have been reared in China for more than 2 000

years, where they were kept in undrainable ponds. The ponds were stocked regularly with fry from rivers.

Natural food-based polycultural rearing technology was applied. Semi-domesticated carp races have developed

in this system. Domesticated carps have been produced in most of the carp rearing areas recently. There are

about 30-35 strains of domesticated common carps in Europe. Many strains are maintained in China. There aresome Indonesian carp strains, which have not been scientifically examined and identified so far.

Main producer countries

Main producer countries of Cyprinus carpio (FAO Fishery Statistics, 2006)

Habitat and biology

Wild common carp (generally referred to as 'carp' in this fact sheet) live in the middle and lower streams of

rivers, in inundated areas, and in shallow confined waters, such as lakes, oxbow lakes, and water reservoirs.

Carp are mainly bottom dwellers but search for food in the middle and upper layers of the water body. Typical

'carp ponds' in Europe are shallow, eutrophic ponds with a muddy bottom and dense aquatic vegetation at the

dikes.The ecological spectrum of carp is broad. Best growth is obtained when water temperature ranges

between 23 C and 30 C. The fish can survive cold winter periods. Salinity up to about 5 is tolerated. The

optimal pH range is 6.5-9.0. The species can survive low oxygen concentration (0.3-0.5 mg/litre) as well as

supersaturation. Carp are omnivorous, with a high tendency towards the consumption of animal food, such as

water insects, larvae of insects, worms, molluscs, and zooplankton. Zooplankton consumption is dominant in

fish ponds where the stocking density is high. Additionally, the carp consumes the stalks, leaves and seeds of

aquatic and terrestrial plants, decayed aquatic plants, etc. The pond farming of carp is based on the ability of

the species to accept and utilize cereals supplied by the farmers. The daily growth of carp can be 2 to 4 percent

of body weigh. Carps can reach 0.6 to 1.0 kg body weight within one season in the polycultural fish ponds of

subtropical/tropical areas. Growth is much slower in the temperate zone: here the fish reach the 1 to 2 kg body

weight after 2 to 4 rearing seasons. In Europe, female carp need about 11 000 to 12 000 degree-days to reach

maturity in the temperate and subtropical climatic zones. Male carp are matured within a period that is 25-35

percent shorter. The maturity period of Asian carp strains is slightly shorter. The spawning of European carp

starts when the water temperature is 17-18 C. Asian strains start to spawn when the ion concentration of thewater decreases abruptly at the beginning of the rainy season. Wild carps are partial spawners. Domesticated

carps release all their matured eggs within a few hours. After hormonal treatment carp release their ripe eggs

within a much shorter period, which makes stripping possible. The quantity of released eggs is 100 to 230 g/kg

body weight. The egg shell becomes sticky after contacting water.


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The embryonic development of carp takes about 3 days at 20-23 C (60-70 degree-days). Under natural

conditions, hatched fry stick to the substrata. About three days after hatching the posterior part of the swim

bladder develops, the larvae swim horizontally, and start to consume external food with a maximum size of

150-180 m (mainly rotifers).

Production

Production cycle


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Production cycle of Cyprinus carpio

Production systems


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Seed supply

Spawning on nests, aquatic weeds and inundated grass in tanks and ponds

Carp may spawn throughout the year in tropical areas of India, with peaks in January-March and July-August.

Breeding is carried out in hapas, cement tanks or small ponds. Submerged aquatic plants are used as substrata

for egg laying. When the fry are 4 to 5 days old, they are stocked into nursery ponds.

The 'Sundanese method' is used for spawning carp in Indonesia. The broodfish are kept in broodfish ponds,

segregated by sex. Matured broodfish are transferred to 25-30 m spawning ponds. 'Kakabans' (nests made of

the fibre ofArengaspecies) are installed into the ponds. The fish lay their eggs on both sides of the kakabans.

When spawning is completed, the nests are transferred to hatching/nursing ponds.

Small ponds are used for spawning carp in China. Aquatic weeds (Ceratophyllum, Myriophyllum) or floating palm

leaves are used as spawning substrata.

Small 'Dubits ponds' (120-300 m water surface area) were used for spawning, and for short nursing of carp

fry in Europe in the past. More recently, ponds with an area from a few hundred m up to 10-30 ha are used

here. Two to four weeks after spawning, the fry can either be harvested from these large ponds, or may remain

there up for rearing to fingerling size.

Hatchery based seed production

This is the most effective and reliable method of seed production. Broodfish are kept in water saturated with

oxygen, within the temperature range of 20-24 C. They are given two doses of pituitary gland injection, or a

mixture of GnRH/dopamine antagonist, to induce ovulation and spermiation. The eggs are fertilized (applying

the 'dry method') and the adhesiveness of the eggs is eliminated using salt/urea treatment, followed by a tannin

acid bath (the 'Woynarovich method'). Incubation is carried out in Zoug jars. The hatched fry are kept in large

conical tanks for 1 to 3 days, and are usually stocked at the stage of 'swim-up' or 'feeding fry' into properly

prepared ponds. Approximately 300 000 to 800 000 newly hatched fry can be expected from a single female.Nursery

Nursing of common carp in ponds and tanks

Shallow, aquatic weed-free drainable ponds of 0.5 to 1.0 ha are the most suitable for carp nursing. Nursery

ponds must be prepared before stocking to encourage the development of a rotifer population, since this

constitutes the first food of feeding fry. The stocking density is 100-400 fry/m. The ponds should be

inoculated withMoinaorDaphniaafter stocking. Supplementary feeds, such as soybean meal, cereals meals, meat

meal, or mixtures of these materials, should be applied. Rice bran or rice polishings can also be used for

feeding fry. The length of the nursery period is 3 to 4 weeks. The final fish weight is 0.2-0.5 g. The survival

rate is 40-70 percent.

If there are many predators in the area where ponds would be situated (insects, snakes, frogs, birds, wild fish),

tank nursing of carp can be applied. Tanks of 5-100 m surface area, made of concrete, bricks or plastic, can

be used for nursing fry up to 1-2 cm in size. By applying hay and manure, dense populations of Parameciumand

rotifers can be established in these tanks. A few hundred fry per m can be stocked. Collected zooplankton and

fine particle size meals, or complete starter foods can be used. Industrial type systems, such as raceways, or

water recirculating systems are also suitable for nursing.

Fingerling production

The production of carp fingerlings normally takes place in semi-intensive ponds, based on manure/fertilizer-

generated natural food and supplementary feeding. Fingerling production can be carried out in a single stage

system (stocking newly hatched fry and harvesting fingerlings), a dual stage system (stocking nursed fry and

harvesting fingerlings), or a multicycle system (when newly hatched fry are stocked, and the fish are thinned


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out several times).

Stocking nursed fry is the most effective way for producing medium and large size fingerlings. Depending on

the required final size of fingerlings, 50 000-200 000 nursed fry/ha can be stocked in temperate zones,

preferably in polycultural systems where the proportion of common carp is 20-50 percent. The final weight of

the carp is 30-100 g. In warm climates, if large size fingerlings are the production target, the stocking density

of nursed fry is 50 000-70 000/ha, out of which the proportion of common carp is 20 percent. Survival rates

of 40-50 percent are achieved. Small size fingerlings can be produced in ponds stocked with 400 000 small

(15 mm) nursed fry. In this case the survival rate is 25-30 percent.

Frequent application of manure is necessary to maintain the plankton population. The feeding is based mainly

on agricultural by-products in subtropical areas, on cereals and/or pellets in temperate zones.

Ongrowing techniques

Production of two summer-old carps

In temperate zones, one-summer old fish (20-100 g) must be reared up to 250-400 g in the second year. The

stocking rate is 4 000-6 000/ha, plus about 3 000 Chinese carp/ha, if only cereals are fed. The stocking rate can

be much higher (up to 20 000/ha) if cereals and pellets also used. The daily ration is approximately 3-5 percentof body weight.

Production of market size fish

Common carp can be produced in extensive, natural food and supplementary feed-based monocultural

production systems, in stagnant water ponds. Artificial feed-based intensive monocultural production can be

carried out in cages, irrigation reservoirs, and running water ponds and tanks, or in recirculation systems.

Common carp are stocked with Chinese carps, and/or Indian major carps, tilapia, mullet, etc., in polycultural

systems. This constitutes a natural food and supplementary feed-based production method, in which fish that

have different feeding habits and occupy different trophic niches are stocked into the same ponds. The quantityof fish should be in accordance with the productivity of natural food organisms. The frequent application of

manure or fertilizers and the proper species ratio, make the maintenance of productive populations of natural

food organisms, and the maximal utilization of the productivity of pond ecosystem possible. Synergetic effects

between fish species support the production in polycultural ponds.

Carp culture can be integrated with animal husbandry and/or plant production. Integration can be direct

(animals above fish ponds), indirect (wastes of animals are used in the ponds as manure), parallel (rice-cum-

fish), or sequential (fish production between crops). The sequential cycling of fish/animal/legumes/rice (in 7 to

9 year cycles) is suitable for significantly decreasing the environmental loading of intensive

aquaculture/agriculture. Since common carp burrow in the pond bottom, have a broad environmental toleranceand an omnivorous feeding habit, they are a key species in integrated systems.

Common carp can also be stocked into natural waters, reservoirs, and temporarily inundated areas, in order to

utilize the natural food production of these waters for enhanced capture fisheries. In this case the fish stocked

should be 13-15 cm fingerlings produced in fish farms ('aquaculture-based fisheries') in order to avoid the

losses that would occur with smaller fish. Common carp are usually stocked with other cyprinid species, in

accordance with the productivity of the water and the intensity of exploitation.

Feed supply

The use of natural food has been mentioned in other sections of this fact sheet. These are sometimes

supplemented with compounded farm-made or commercial feeds.

Harvesting techniques

Undrainable ponds, or drainable ponds with a long harvesting ditch, or ponds with inner or outer harvesting

pits are used for carp rearing. The fish are usually harvested by seine nets. The length of nets should be 1.5


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times the width of ponds, but not longer than 120-150 m.

In undrainable ponds, selective harvesting can be done. The maximum weight of carp which can get through

various mesh size nets are: 20 mm mesh size = 20 g fish; 25 mm = 40 g; 30 mm =100 g; 35 mm =170 g; 40

mm = 270 g; 50 mm = 400 g.

Since the carp keep mud-free the area where they search for food, feeding should be done throughout the

growing period in the harvest area. At harvest time the water should be drained slowly (1-3 days from a 1 ha

pond, 8-14 days from 30-60 ha ponds). The fish gather in the deepest area of the pond, unless they arefrightened away by an abrupt decrease of water level, or by noises. Since carp tend to swim towards incoming

water, a small quantity of water is flowed into the pond near the drainage site to concentrate the fish, especially

if the water temperature is high. When a large quantity of fish is concentrated in the harvesting pits aeration

should be supplied. Sprinkling water on the surface is usually not sufficient.

Partial harvesting (regardless whether the ponds are drainable or undrainable) increases the total production of

the ponds by improving the conditions for the remaining population.

Handling and processing

If harvesting is carried out in warm water, the fish are pre-conditioned by repeated stressing before netting.Harvested fish can be transferred live in aerated tanks for 3-5 hours, if the fish/water ratio is not more than 1:2.

The density of fish in transport tanks and the duration of transport depend on fish size, temperature and the

amount of aeration.

If, during harvesting, fish have been enticed into the harvesting area by feed, only very short transport time is

feasible, since the oxygen demand of satiated fish is high.

The majority of carps is transferred live to markets, and is sold either live or freshly dressed. Successful trials

have been carried out on the large scale filleting of carp in France. Apart from value-added products, about 15

different products can be prepared from carp, representing different levels of processing.Production costs

The average profit of carp production in some Hungarian fish farms was EUR 326/ha (from sales of EUR 1

652/ha) between 1999-2001, according to a survey by the Research Institute of Fisheries, Aquaculture and

Irrigation (unpublished data). In India the net profit from polyculture, in which common carp represented 25

percent of the total fish stocked, was reported to be USD 710/ha (from sales of USD 1 929) in 1990

(Sinha,1990). The profit of small scale farmers in Bangladesh was reported to be USD 510-1 580/ha (from

sales of USD 1 540-2 610/ha) from undrainable polyculture ponds, in which the stocking ratio of carp was 20

percent (Gupta et al., 1999).

Diseases and control measures

In some cases antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals have been used in treatment but their inclusion in this table does not imply an

FAO recommendation.

DISEASE AGENT TYPE SYNDROME MEASURES

Saprolegniosis Saprolegniaspp. Fungus

White fungal colonies on body

surface, wounded areas or

ulcers, and on egg surface

Single or repeated doses

of malachite green

Branchyomycosis;gill rot

Branchiomycessanguinis

Fungus

Mosaic type coloration of gills;

haemorrhages and anaemicareas; mass mortality;

secondary Saprolegnia infection

Pond treatment with

quick lime; repeatedtreatment with copper

sulphate

Small spherical nodules on

fins; haemorrhages; ulcers with


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Carp

erythrodermatitis;

ulcer disease

Aeromonas

salmonicida

achromogenes

Bacterium

jagged rims; protruding scales;

exophthalmia; swollen

abdomen; haemorrhages on

gills; pinkish fluid in the body

cavity; secondary Saprolegnia

infection of ulcers

technologies; avoid

stress; apply antibiotics

in feed or as injections;

vaccination

Columnaris disease Flexibactercolumnaris

Bacterium

Appearance above 15 C; grey-

white spots surrounded by zone

with reddish tinge on the head,

gills, skin and fins; destroyed

membranes between fin rays

Treatment with

benzalkonium chloride,

copper sulphate or

antibiotics (furazolidone,

neomycin,

oxytetracycline,

terramycin); feed

containing

sulphamerazine and

oxytetracycline

Bacterial gill diseaseFlavobacterium

branciophyla

Bacterium

White areas on the body

surface and/or on the gills;

necrosis of infected areas

Treatment with salt or

antibiotics; improvement

of pond environment

MycobacteriosisMycobacterium

spp. Bacterium

Emaciated, stunted fish; feeding

ceases; light grey discoloration

on body surface; sometimes

open ulcers

No treatment available;

destroy infected

populations

Spring viraemia of

carpRhabdovirus carpio Virus

Outbreak above 12 C; erratic

swimming; later lethargy

occurs; enteritis; oedema;

exophthalmia; pale gills;

haemorrhages in skin

Elimination of vectors,

such as blood sucking

parasites; no transfer of

infected fish

Carp poxHerpes type

virusVirus

Smooth, opaque, greyish-white

patches of 1-2 mm diameter on

body surface; later, body is

covered with them; loss of

calcium; soft body; tail can be

turned to head; manifestation

above 14 C

Avoid introduction of

infected fish

Koi Herpes Virus

Disease (KHV)

Herpes type

virusVirus

Disease occurs between 17-25

C on common and koi carp;

lethargy; uncontrolled, erraticswimming; focal necrosis of

gills; increased mucus

secretion; haemorrhages on

gills and liver; inflammation of

kidney; mass mortality

Keep infected areas freeof carp for 3 months;

vaccination

Costiosis Ichthyobodospp.Protozoan

ectoparasite

Gulping at inlet; lethargy;

flashing; erratic swimming;

slim fish; blue-grey film on

skin and gills

Salt, formalin or

malachite green baths;

copper oxycloride in

ponds

Coccidiosis Eimeriaspp.Protozoan

endoparasite

Fish lay on pond bottom;hollow eyes; debilitation; thin

body; large head; oedema of

abdominal membranes and

intestinal wall; intestinal wall is

Disinfection and drying

of ponds; Furazolidone


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dark; swollen intestinal

mucosa; yellowish mucus

exuded

White spot disease

Ichthyophthiriosis

Ichthyophthirius

multifiliis

Protozoan

ectoparasite

Scratching behaviour; flashing;

gulping; increased gill beat rate;

gill damage; white spots on

fins, skin, gills and eyes

Malachite green baths

Chilodonellosis Chilodonellaspp.Protozoan

ectoparasite

Fish at surface; erratic,flickering swimming; pale gills;

grey film of mucus on skin;

epithelial cell necrosis; ulcers

Salt, formalin ormalachite green baths;

copper oxychloride in

ponds

Trichodinosis Trichodinaspp.Protozoan

ectoparasite

Surfacing; white patches on

skin surface; excess mucus

exudate on gills; tattered fins;

pale gills covered with mucus

and cell debris

Salt, formalin or

malachite green baths;

copper oxycloride in

ponds

Myxobolosis Myxobolusspp.Myxozoanendoparasite

Oedema; loose scales;

exophthalmia; white or yellowcysts and haemorrhages on

gills; white nodules on gills

(koi); muscle necrosis

Fumagilin in feed

Dactylogyrosis Dactylogyrusspp.Monogenean

ectoparasite

Fish swim to water inlet;

proliferation of gill epidermis;

flukes visible on gills with low

(40-60) multiplication

Salt, ammonia,

organophosphate,

Neguvon, or

praziquantel baths;

drying ponds

Gyrodactylosis Gyrodactylusspp.Monogenean

ectoparasite

Fish swimming restlessly;greyish skin; pale gills; white

and tattered fins

Salt, ammonia,

organophosphate,Neguvon, or

praziquantel baths;

drying ponds

Diplostomosis Diplostomumspp.Endoparasitic

trematode

Uncontrolled swimming; dark

skin; small haemorrhages on

abdomen; loss of weight;

cataracts develop in eyes;

haemorrhages in eyes;

inflammation of eyes;

exophthalmia

Praziquantel bath;

eradication of hosts,

such as snails and birds

PhosthodiplostomosisPhosthodiplostomum

spp.Endoparasitic

trematode

Encapsulated larvae evoke

accumulation of melanina;

black cysts of 0.6-1.0 mm

develop; deformation of

vertebral column may occur in

fry

Organophosphate

(Masoten, Dipterex,

Sumithion) or

praziquantel baths;

eradication of snails and

herons

Sanguinicoliasis Sanguinicolaspp.Endoparasitic

trematode

Lethargy; swimming in spiral

movement; feeding ceases; fish

on water surface; sometimes

exophthalmia; gill inflammation

Praziquantel bath;

eradication of snails with

copper sulphate when no

fish present; sun-dryingponds

Endoparasitic

Distended body; swimming

with difficulty; feeding ceases;

loss of weight; first part of Expel birds; praziquantel


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gu a n nacestode abdomen bulging; exudum in

body cavity; tapeworms visible

in fish

bath

Bothriocephalosis Bothriocephalusacheilognathi

Endoparasitic

cestode

Sluggish movement; swimming

at the surface; emaciation;

enlarged abdomen;

inflammation of digestive tract;

haemorrhages and ulcers in gut

Chlorinated salicylanalid

in feed; praziquantel

bath; keep ponds dry in

winter; disinfect pond

bottoms with lime;

eradicate copepods

Khawiosis;

tapeworm infestationKhawia sinensis

Endoparasitic

cestode

Sluggish movement; loss of

appetite; slow growth; anaemia

of skin and gills; haemorrhages

and ulcers on gut; worms may

protrude from anus

Devermin bath; eradicate

tubifex (host) by pond

disinfection

Nematode infestation Contracaecum spp.Endoparasitic

nematode

Emaciation; exophthalmia; loss

of blood into body cavity;

roundworms in heart and body

cavity

No treatment

Phylometrosis;

nematode infestationPhylometra spp.

Endoparasitic

nematode

Lost balance; fish floating head

down; feeding ceases; red

nodules on skin and under

scales

Eradicate copepods;

injections of Nilverm or

Ditrazin into body cavity

Fish Leech

infestationPiscicolidae

Ectoparasitic

annelid

Hyperactive swimming at water

inlet; loss of weight; ulcers

Salt or Dipterex (with or

without potassium

permanganate) baths

Ergasilosis Ergasilusspp. Ectoparasiticarthropod

Weight loss; slow development;

mortality; small white patches

on gills; gill hyperplasia;necrosis of gill tissues; lost

lamellae; reduced circulation;

secondary infections

Chlorfos or

organophosphate baths;

sun-drying ponds

Lernaeosis Lernaea spp.Ectoparasitic

arthropod

Lethargy; feeding ceases;

anchor worms can be seen on

body surface and gills

Salt, potassium

permanganate or

organophosphate baths

Argulosis Argulusspp.Ectoparasitic

arthropod

Parasites visible on body

surface; abnormal swimming;

lethargy; feeding ceases;

excessive mucus production;small haemorrhages; fin

erosion; anaemia; ulcers;

secondary infections

Salt, potassium

permanganate ororganophosphate baths

Suppliers of pathology expertise

Expertise can be obtained from the following sources:

Asia

Asia Diagnostic Guide to Aquatic Animal Diseases .

Prof. Jiang Yulin, China

Aqua-Vet Technologies Ltd. Israel (Dr. Ra'anan Ariav) or
mailto:aquavetmailto:ariavdvmmailto:szapqbxihttp://library.enaca.org/NACA-Publications/ADG-complete.pdf


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Europe

CEFAS Weymouth Laboratory, UK

Dr. Peter Dixon

Dr. Keith Way

Central Veterinarian Institute, Fish and Bee Disease Department, Hungary

Dr. Gyorgy Csaba

Dr. Maria Lang

Fish and Shellfish Diseases Laboratory, The NetherlandsDr. Olga L.M. Haenen

National Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases, Germany

Dr. Sven Bergmann

Australia

Csiro

USA

UC Davis, California

Prof. Ronald Hedrick

Statistics

Production statistics

Global aquaculture production of Cyprinus carpio

(FAO Fishery Statistic)

Farmed common carp production was nearly 14 percent of the total global freshwater aquaculture production

in 2002 (33 138 962 tonnes). Common carp production increased by an average global rate of 9.5 percent/yr

between 1985 (681 319 tonnes) and 2002. In the past decade (1993-2002) this has increased to 10.4 percent/yr.

This is greater than the expansion rate of farmed grass carp (10.1 percent/yr), silver carp (8.8 percent/yr), and

bighead carp production (7.2 percent/yr), but less than that for tilapias (11.8 percent/yr) during this decade. In

Europe, common carp production was 144 602 tonnes in 2002. This represents a substantial reduction from

peak production of over 402 000 tonnes in 1990, caused by changes in Eastern Europe. However, Europeanproduction appears to be gradually increasing again; the 1993-2002 trough was 125 274 tonnes in 1997.

According to FAO data, the global average unit price of farmed common carp has declined from USD 1.43/kg

in 1993 to USD 0.92/kg in 2002. However, this may principally be due to a fall in the value of the RMB yuan
mailto:rphedrickhttp://www.fao.org/fishery/culturedspecies/Cyprinus_carpio/enmailto:sven.bergmannmailto:olga.haenenmailto:landmailto:csabagymailto:k.waymailto:P.F.Dixon


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during this period in China, where a large proportion of production (e.g. 70 percent in 2002) takes place.

Market and trade

Statistical data indicate that common carp production may have come close to its limit. However, common carp

will remain an important species in those areas where it is produced traditionally. The majority of the carp are

consumed domestically. Based on several trials on common carp processing carried out in Europe, it was

revealed that live or freshly dressed fish are required by the market. Processing increased the price of carp to

less competitive levels, so a significant increase in the demand for processed carp products can not be forecast.

Typically, about 24 000 tonnes of live, fresh/chilled filleted or frozen carp products (all species) are traded

(imported or exported) within Europe annually. The main exporters are Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia

and Lithuania. The main importers in 2002 were Austria, Germany, Hungary and Poland. In the whole of the

rest of the world, including the principal producing region (Asia), international trading of all carp species is

quite limited (39 000 tonnes/yr in 2002).

Production of 'bio carp' has been started in some areas. Quality labelling and an emphasis on the fact that the

carp are produced in extensive or semi-intensive systems that are environment-friendly technologies, may

increase the acceptance of common carp by certain groups of consumers.

A change in the main objective of common carp production can be observed in Europe. Formerly, the market

demanded fish mainly for consumption. Recently, a significant quantity of the carp produced in aquaculture is

stocked into natural waters and water reservoirs for angling purposes. Since the anglers prefer fish that are

more active on the hook than the domesticated carp, they need wild carp or hybrids of domesticated and wild

carp strains. Wild carp are required also for re-stocking natural waters, where the rehabilitation of natural

fauna is carried out.

Status and trendsSince this species has outstanding importance in freshwater aquaculture, many aspects of its physiology,

nutrition, genetics, and diseases have been studied during past decades. The role of common carp in water

ecosystems has been examined, and breeding and rearing technologies that fit various climatic conditions and

intensity levels have been developed.

The tasks for the future include:

Rearing technology: introduction/adaptation of technologies that are optimal for various climatic,

environmental and socio-economic conditions, and the wider application of environmental friendly

bicultural and polycultural systems in traditional carp-producing areas.

Rotational aquaculture and agriculture: introduction of the rotational use of land for agricultural/carp-based

aquacultural systems may help to eliminate the adverse environmental impact of intensive agriculture inmany places. This system can also be used for soil desalination.

Genetics: practice-oriented genetic research needs to be continued for the development of reliable breeding

systems. Based on genetic research, breeding associations should be established for maintaining the

stabile 'landraces' (strains) in various geographical areas and climatic zones, in order to avoid inbreeding.

INGA (International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture, organised by the World Fish Center,

formerly ICLARM) helps to fulfil the above tasks in Southeast Asian and East European areas. There is

some scope in fish genetics for increasing the disease resistance of carps by the development of resistant

strains and hybrids.

Diseases and control: adverse changes in the natural environment, the increasing intensity of carp production

in many areas, extensive inter-regional transport of common carp and other cyprinids, and the ban onusing several traditional medicaments (fungicides, antibiotics and insecticides) call for the intensification

of research on carp diseases. A relatively new and promising field of research is the development of

immunostimulants, for increasing the natural resistance of fish. The development of vaccines seems to

be the most promising solution for avoiding the application of antibiotics. Development and large-scale


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application of vaccines against viral diseases have primary importance to control 'traditional' viral

diseases, such as the spring viremia, carp pox and viral gill necrosis. Large-scale introduction of

vaccination against 'KHV' (which is actually a virus called Carp Nephritis and Gill Necrosis Virus,

CNGNV) is also very important in the infected or endangered areas. The development of rapid

diagnostic tools to determine the bacterial and viral infections is also necessary. Vigilance on parasitical

diseases should be maintained. Research on better understanding of pre-conditioning environmental and

technological factors, which make the fish less resistant and the pathogens more virulent, should also be

continued.

Main issuesThe effect of extensive carp farming on the environment is negligible or even positive, since the carp help to

maintain aerobic bottom conditions. The environmental effect of semi-intensive polycultural carp farming

depends on the intensity of production, and on the water quality of recipients. The accumulation of silt and

organic material can be very high in integrated systems. However, the rotational use of land for fish-cum-duck

and alfalfa and rice production is the most environmental friendly means of conducting aquaculture and

agriculture. The effect of intensive (industrial) aquaculture systems on the environment depends on the

efficiency of waste management.

The overstocking of open waters with carp and the introduction of non-indigenous carps may cause negativeimpacts. The population of aquatic weeds can be destroyed by increasing turbidity and uprooting plants. By

decreasing the spawning grounds available for phytophil species, common carp may decrease the biodiversity

in natural waters.

Responsible aquaculture practices

There are many well elaborated types of carp production, so it is relatively easy to select production methods

that accord with Article 9 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. The most widely applied

technique, namely supplementary feed-based extensive or semi-intensive carp production, is considered as an

environmentally friendly way of animal protein production. Responsible aquaculture on the production level(Article 9.4., Code of Conduct) can be ensured by applying a strict process of licensing, in which the main

principles of environment and ecological protection are considered.

The establishment of carp breeding associations that maintain and breed pure strains of common carp by

certified breeders in licensed fish hatcheries; frequent quality control based on standardized progeny testing;

and supporting farms in the stocking of pure strains, helps to maintain the carp population of various areas,

including the wild-type carp populations of natural waters this system was elaborated and applied by the

Association of Hungarian Fish Producers.

Fish health control based on local veterinarians and government institutions helps to increase the security ofproduction by decreasing the effects of the diseases of farmed fish on the natural fish population, and helping

to minimize the use of chemicals, drugs and antibiotics.

The introduction of quality controls, based on the labelling/traceability of the products, and the provision of

support for the development of 'organic' products may increase the application of environmentally friendly

technologies, as well as improving the supply of good quality fish.

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FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)