The Truth About the Common Carp

As any real fisherman knows, Common Carp and Grass Carp are two totally
different species. One is destructive, the other is not.

In fact, Grass Carp are not actually carp at all. Grass Carp is simply a
common name for the fish known as "White Amur."

White Amur are the species of fish that really can devestate vegetation
because they are strict vegetarians. They get stocked into lakes and
ponds to control rampant grass and other aquatic plants, but are often
overstocked and clean the lakes out.

When people hear about "carp" destroying the lake, they usually don't
know the difference between the species. So they assume that true,
common carp, are just as destructive, when in fact they are not.

The fish many anglers target are Common Carp. They are not strict
vegetarians, they do not damage ecosystems unless they are *severely*
overpopulated. But then again, what fish doesn't mess up it's ecosystem
if it overpopulates.

Odds are if you catch a Carp it will probably be a Common Carp.

Here are some things to look for to tell the difference between the
destructive White Amur (grass carp) and the harmless Common Carp.

Look at the Dorsal Fin, Common Carp have a dorsal that runs down their
back behind its "point". Grass Carp have a small triangular dorsal fin.

Look at the mouth. Common Carp have a mouth that orients towards the
bottom when fully extended, while White Amur have a mouth that orients
forward, more like a bass or a minnow you'd buy for bait.

Also, look for barbels around the mouth. All Common Carp will have two
sets of barbels ( Small whiskers. ) around their mouth, a larger barbel
and a smaller barbel on each side.

Hope that helps.

The thing with the White Amur (Grass Carp)is that in most locales you
are either supposed to kill them immediately or return them to the water
immediately, depending on the water. So if you catch one, be sure you
know what the regulations are. If you need to kill it, I'd suggest
putting it on ice and taking it home, they are actually supposed to make
excellent eating fish.

Common Carp of course can be legally returned to the water anywhere you
catch them. In fact in most places it's illegal to kill a Common Carp
and leave it on the bank or in a trash can just as it is illegal to do
so with any other edible species of fish. There are laws and very steep
fines against wasting aquatic wildlife resources in that way, and yes,
they apply to common carp as well.

They are great sportfish.