About

The common carp is a large, heavy, deep-bodied fish that grows up to a metre in length. Carp are omnivorous, feeding on plants, algae, invertebrates and other fish; one favourite food is freshwater mussels, which they will eat whole with their shells still on. They live in weedy ponds, flooded gravel pits and lakes, but are not native to the UK, having been introduced in the Middle Ages for food. A commercially important fish, selective breeding has led to many forms: the leather carp and mirror carp are commonly found in the UK and show different scale patterns.