Different types of Carp Species

Carp fishing has long been a popular pastime in the UK, attracting legions of dedicated anglers who revel in the challenge of catching these elusive and hard-fighting fish. For both novice and seasoned carp anglers alike, understanding and recognising the various species of carp enriches your angling experience and helps adopt appropriate techniques and baiting strategies to improve catch rates. 

Common Carp 

With a long tradition of domestication in Asia, the common carp was first introduced to European waters in the 12th century. The widespread distribution of Common Carp across the UK can be traced back to 16th-century mediaeval monks, who introduced them to British waters for farming purposes. Over time, the species spread to various aquatic habitats, including rivers, lakes, and ponds, where they have thrived ever since.

Features and Appearance:

Adorned with intricately patterned scales, the Common Carp resembles a creature clad in armour. 

This carp species displays a variety of colours, ranging from dark bronze or olive green on the back to golden-brown or yellowish hues on the sides, fading to a white or cream-coloured belly. Their fins and tail are generally dark brown, reddish-brown or even orange.

In terms of body shape, these fish typically possess a slim, torpedo-like form, a testament to their river-dwelling ancestry. The wild and untamed nature of these fish is evident in their strength and tenacity, making them formidable adversaries on the line.

Average Size:

Common Carp weighing between 15 and 25 lbs are considered average-sized in most countries. Fish above 25 lbs are considered a good-sized Common Carp, and specimens exceeding 30 lbs are regarded as large, trophy-worthy catches. 

Record Catches:

The British record for Common Carp stands at an impressive 64 lbs 6 oz, caught in 2018. The world record for Common Carp is a colossal 101 lbs 6 oz fish caught in the renowned Lake Serene, France, in 2019.

Mirror Carp 

Originating from the Common Carp lineage, the distinctive Mirror Carp emerged as a result of selective breeding practices by European monks. Their goal was to reduce the number of scales for easier culinary preparation, and thus the Mirror Carp came to be.

Features and Appearance:

The unique appearance of Mirror Carp is defined by irregular patches of scales dispersed across their bodies. These scale patterns differ significantly in size and distribution, contributing to the individuality of each Mirror Carp. This striking feature allows anglers to recognize specific fish within a particular location effortlessly.

Unlike their river-adapted Common Carp relatives, Mirror Carp have primarily been bred in still-water habitats, such as ponds and small lakes. Consequently, they exhibit deep, round bodies that tend to store more body fat. However, regardless of their shape, Mirror Carp can develop into visually striking fish with shades of brown or dark brown. 

Average Size:

While the average size of Mirror Carp is comparable to that of Common Carp, their rounder body and higher fat content often result in a slightly heavier weight. Mirror Carp typically weigh between 15 and 30 lbs, with genuinely massive specimens starting at 50 lbs.

Record Catches:

The British record for Mirror Carp stands at an impressive 71 lbs 4 oz, caught in 2016. In 2018, a new world record for Mirror Carp was set at the Hungarian carp venue Euro Aqua, where a staggering catch weighed in at 112 lbs 14 oz.

Leather Carp 

Features and Appearance:

The Leather Carp, a unique genetic variant of the carp family, originates in Asia, predominantly South Korea, where it serves as an essential food source. It stands out from its Common and Mirror Carp relatives due to its near-scaleless body, which only bears a handful of large scales near the tail fin and a row of scales lining the dorsal fin.

This scarcity of scales imparts a leathery texture to the fish's skin, thus earning the name "Leather Carp." This distinctive attribute sets Leather Carp apart from other carp types, making them easily identifiable. While their body shape closely resembles that of the Mirror Carp, the Leather Carp generally exhibits a darker or greyish hue.

Average Size:

Leather Carp weights typically fall between 10 and 20 lbs. Carp weighing over 20 lbs are considered reasonably sized, while those surpassing 30 lbs are deemed large specimens.

Record Catches:

The British record for Leather Carp is held by a legendary fish named "Heather the Leather," which lived for over half a century and reached a weight of 54 lbs 8 oz when she was caught in 2006. 

Crucian Carp

The petite yet enigmatic Crucian Carp is a native European species that presents a considerable challenge for anglers due to its cautious feeding habits.

Features and Appearance:

With a scale pattern reminiscent of the Common Carp, the Crucian Carp sets itself apart by lacking barbels typically found in other carp species.

Crucian Carp display a golden-brown or dark-brown colouration, and their body shape varies from streamlined to deep, depending on the presence of predators in their environment.

Average Size:

In the UK, Crucian Carp are generally smaller, weighing around 2 lbs on average. However, across other European countries, they typically weigh between 2 to 4 lbs.

Record Catches:

The UK record for Crucian Carp stands at 4 lbs 10 oz, caught in 2015. The world record is held by a 9 lbs 8 oz Crucian Carp caught in a lake in the Netherlands in 2009.

Grass Carp 

Diverging from the closely related carp types, the Grass Carp is a remarkable species in terms of size and characteristics. As a distant cousin of the Common Carp, the Grass Carp has been cultivated in Asia as a food source while being introduced to European and North American waters for the management of aquatic plant growth.

Features and Appearance:

These fish can reach impressive sizes and have tremendous power reserves, which they often demonstrate suddenly when close to being netted. This unexpected surge of energy is a unique trait of the Grass Carp. 

Although their body shape and scale patterns share similarities with the Common Carp, Grass Carp more closely resemble a large chub. They also lack the iconic barbels found near the mouths of most carp species.

Average Size:

Grass Carp generally weigh between 15 and 30 lbs. Specimens over 40 lbs are deemed large, while those exceeding 60 lbs can be classified as behemoth Grass Carp. While their size is somewhat more modest in the UK, Grass Carp can reach substantial proportions in other European countries and the United States.

Record Catches:

The British record for Grass Carp is an admirable 53 lbs 12 oz, caught in 2018. The world record is held by a staggering 87 lbs 10 oz catch from the Piasuchnik Dam in Bulgaria in 2009.

Ghost Carp 

Ghost Carp are a unique and eye-catching hybrid species, resulting from the crossbreeding of Koi Carp (often an Ogon Koi) with Common or Mirror Carp. They are admired for their striking appearance and have become increasingly popular among anglers and pond keepers.

Features and Appearance:

Their colours, which can range from white and grey to metallic shades and blue hues, are inherited from its Koi lineage and provides the inspiration for its name.

Average Size:

Ghost Carp tend to have an average weight similar to that of Common and Mirror Carp, ranging from 10 to 20 lbs. However, larger specimens have been known to exceed this range.

Record Catches:

The British record for a Ghost Carp is an imposing 65 lbs 14 oz, with the venue remaining undisclosed. In Europe, an unofficial Ghost Carp record stands at a massive 94 lbs!

F1 Hybrid Carp

The F1 Carp is a specially bred hybrid resulting from the crossbreeding of a Crucian Carp and a Common Carp. Developed to offer anglers a fast-growing and hard-fighting fish, F1 Carp have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Features and Appearance:

F1 carp exhibit an intriguing blend of features from both parent species.

With a body shape that is typically more streamlined than a Crucian Carp, yet more rounded than a Common Carp, their colouration tends to be a blend of golden brown and dark brown hues. The absence of barbels on their mouths, a trait inherited from the Crucian Carp, sets them apart from other carp species.

Average Size:

The average size of an F1 Carp ranges between 2 and 5 lbs. However, F1 Carp are known for their rapid growth rate, and it's not uncommon for them to reach much larger sizes in well-maintained fisheries.

Record Catches:

The current British record for F1 carp stands at 7lb 14oz, caught in the Boundary Pool at Manor Farm Leisure in 2016. 

Conclusion

The diverse world of carp species offers anglers a fascinating and rewarding journey into the depths of the aquatic realm. From the familiar Common and Mirror Carp to the elusive Leather Carp, the hard-to-catch Crucian Carp, and the unique hybrids like Ghost Carp and F1 Carp, each species brings its own set of challenges and thrills. Identifying and understanding the distinctive features, appearances, and sizes of each carp species not only enhances the angling experience but also helps preserve these remarkable creatures and their habitats.

Contact us today to learn more about the different carp species available in the UK and get expert advice on the best tackle and bait to ensure you get the most rewarding carp fishing experience.