Lyla Lindsey
Carp are a large freshwater fish native to central Asia. They are now the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world, and in Australia, they are considered a pest. In this article, we will explore where carp are found in Australia, the problems they cause, and the solutions that are being considered to control their numbers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | European Carp or Common Carp |
| Scientific name | Cyprinus carpio |
| Family | Cyprinidae |
| Habitat | Still or slowly flowing waters at low altitudes with abundant aquatic vegetation; brackish lower reaches of some rivers and coastal lakes; highly degraded areas |
| Distribution in Australia | All states and territories except the Northern Territory; particularly prevalent in the Murray-Darling Basin, accounting for 80-90% of fish biomass in the region |
| Introductions | Deliberate and accidental; early introductions in Sydney in the 1900s and Victoria in 1859; new strain imported for aquaculture in the 1960s |
| Impact | Environmental damage through feeding habits, competition with native species, and habitat modification; potential carriers of parasites and diseases |
| Control methods | Biological control using carp virus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 3) is being researched |
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What You'll Learn
Carp are found in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory
Carp are considered a pest in Australia, where they are known to harm waterways. They are now found in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory.
Carp are native to central Asia and have been introduced to many countries, making them the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world. They are extensively farmed in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and are a popular angling fish in Europe. In Australia, carp were introduced deliberately, in an attempt to imitate the European environment, and accidentally, through the escape of ornamental or aquaculture fish.
Carp have spread across most of south-eastern Australia and are now the most abundant large freshwater fish in some areas, including most of the Murray-Darling Basin. They have also been found in coastal lakes and rivers in New South Wales, including the Hunter River in the north and the Shoalhaven in the south. They have also been found in Lakes Crescent and Sorrell in Tasmania.
Carp are highly mobile and can move considerable distances as individuals and undergo mass migrations at certain times. They are known to form aggregations in winter in lakes and large rivers, and they move into wetland and marsh habitats in spring. They are capable of tolerating a range of environmental conditions, including low oxygen levels, pollutants, and turbidity, and they are often associated with degraded habitats, including stagnant waters.
Attempts to control carp numbers in Australia have been largely unsuccessful. One potential solution being considered is the use of a carp virus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 3) that causes a fatal disease in carp. However, more research is needed to ensure that the virus will not harm native fish or Australia's ecosystems.
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They are most abundant in the Murray-Darling Basin
Carp are an invasive, widespread pest in the Murray-Darling Basin, where they are most abundant. They have been present in the area since the 1960s, and now make up 80-90% of the fish biomass in the river system. Their dominance in the basin is due to a combination of factors, including their adaptability, quick reproduction, and ability to exploit degraded systems.
Carp were first released into the Murray River near Mildura in 1964, and their spread throughout the basin coincided with widespread flooding in the early 1970s. They are highly mobile and can move considerable distances as individuals, as well as undergo mass migrations at certain times. They are also known to form aggregations in winter in large rivers like the Murray. Their feeding habits, particularly their method of sucking up and ejecting sediment, leads to direct deterioration of water quality and increased nutrient levels.
The introduction of carp has had significant impacts on the native fish species, biodiversity, and aquatic vegetation in the Murray-Darling Basin. They reduce water quality, damage riverbanks, and contribute to algae blooms by feeding on zooplankton, which normally feed on algae. Carp also feed on fish eggs and small fish, and their large mouths and feeding style contribute to environmental damage. Their presence can make it more difficult to restore degraded systems to a healthy condition.
To combat the carp problem in the Murray-Darling Basin, the Australian Government has implemented various measures, including the National Carp Control Plan (NCCP), which aims to reduce the impact of carp on waterways. This plan involves researching the potential use of a carp virus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 3) as a biological control agent. Other activities, such as installing carp exclusion screens at wetlands and managing water flows, are also being implemented to support carp management and improve conditions for native fish species.
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They are considered a pest species and are not eaten
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) are considered a pest species in Australia, where they are very common and occupy most of the southeast Australian mainland, Western Australia, and the Murray-Darling Basin. The only substantial carp-free region is the Northern Territory.
Carp were first introduced to Australia more than 100 years ago and have since become established in every state except the Northern Territory. They are highly mobile and can move considerable distances, both as individuals and during mass migrations. They are also known to form aggregations in winter in lakes and large rivers, such as the Murray. Their ability to tolerate a wide range of water conditions, including low oxygen levels and slightly salty water, has contributed to their environmental impact and their status as a pest species.
Carp have a significant impact on native fauna and ecosystems in Australia. They feed by sucking up soft sediment from the bottom of rivers and ponds, ejecting it back into the water, and causing a suspension of sediment that leads to a deterioration of water quality. In infested rivers, carp can make up as much as 90% of biomass, outnumbering native fish species, and resulting in muddy waters, the destruction of aquatic plants, and the degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Their feeding habits also include consuming fish eggs and small fish, as well as introducing parasites that may impact native species.
While some native fish and bird species have adapted to using carp as a food source, most of these species were more abundant before the introduction of carp. The reduction in native species populations due to carp could also be a result of competition for resources or habitat modification by carp.
Despite their status as a pest, carp are not commonly eaten in Australia. This may be due to their association with poor water quality or the presence of parasites. Additionally, carp have a high bone-to-flesh ratio, which makes them less desirable for consumption compared to other fish species.
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They are highly mobile and can migrate in large numbers
Carp are highly mobile and can migrate in large numbers, which has led to their spread across every state and territory in Australia, except the Northern Territory. This mobility has contributed to their classification as an invasive species, with carp populations in Australia continuing to rise due to favourable climatic conditions. Their ability to tolerate a wide range of water conditions has made them adept at exploiting degraded systems, although it is debated whether they prefer such conditions or simply capitalise on them.
The mobility and migratory behaviour of carp have facilitated their spread across various waterways in Australia. Their presence in high densities can lead to several issues, including the deterioration of water quality due to increased sediment suspension and nutrient levels. This can result in muddy waters, the killing of aquatic plants, and the degradation of freshwater ecosystems. The high mobility of carp contributes to their ability to impact multiple locations, increasing their ecological footprint.
The migratory capabilities of carp are not limited to Australia and are a concern in other parts of the world as well. For example, in the United States, there are efforts to prevent Asian carp from migrating into the Great Lakes, with electrical barriers being placed near Romeoville, Illinois, to stop their advance. The carp's mobility and ability to migrate in large numbers pose a significant ecological threat to the Great Lakes fishery, as expressed by Commission Chairman Ethan Baker.
The carp's mobility and migratory behaviour have implications for their control and management. Their ability to move across different water bodies can hinder control efforts, requiring a range of methods to be employed. For instance, Australian researchers are exploring the use of a carp virus (Cyprinid herpesvirus 3) as a biological control solution to reduce carp populations. However, before releasing the virus into the environment, extensive assessments and approvals are necessary to ensure it will not harm native fish or ecosystems.
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They are invasive and harm waterways
Carp (Cyprinus carpio) are an invasive species in Australia, where they were introduced over 100 years ago. They are now found in every state and territory except the Northern Territory, and are considered a major pest, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Carp have a significant impact on Australia's waterways. Their feeding habits cause direct deterioration to water quality. As bottom feeders, adult carp suck up soft sediment from the bottom of rivers and ponds, separate out food items, and then eject the sediment back into the water. This behaviour, known as "roiling", leads to an increase in suspended sediment in the water, which reduces water quality and increases nutrient levels. High densities of carp can also cause muddy waters, killing aquatic plants and degrading freshwater ecosystems.
Carp are also highly mobile and undergo mass migrations, forming aggregations in winter in lakes and large rivers. They move considerable distances in lakes before the breeding season and congregate around access points to wetland and marsh habitats in spring. Their ability to move and aggregate in large numbers can impact native species and ecological processes. Juvenile carp, in particular, feed on zooplankton, and their presence can reduce zooplankton numbers, potentially leading to increased algal growth as zooplankton are natural predators of algae. Additionally, carp feed on fish eggs and small fish, impacting native fish populations.
The introduction of carp has also potentially led to the introduction of parasites such as the external parasitic anchor worm Lernaea cyprinacea and the tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, which are now found in native species. The impact of these parasites on native fauna is not yet fully understood.
The Australian government is currently investigating methods to control carp numbers, including the use of a virus called cyprinid herpesvirus-3, or koi herpesvirus (KHV). This virus causes high death rates in common carp and is specific to this species, not affecting other fish such as goldfish. The National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) is a research program that aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of releasing the virus into carp-infested waters. The NCCP has already published a comprehensive report, and further research has been approved to address questions about the potential impacts on threatened species, river systems, and the virus's transmissibility.
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Frequently asked questions
Carp are found in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory. They are most abundant in the Murray-Darling Basin, accounting for 80-90% of the fish biomass in the area. They are also found in coastal lakes and rivers, particularly in central New South Wales.
No, carp are not native to Australia. They are a large freshwater fish native to central Asia and have been deliberately and accidentally introduced to Australia.
The exact timing of carp introductions into the Murray-Darling Basin is unclear, but there are early records of carp translocation from Sydney in the early 20th century. In the 1960s, a new strain of carp was imported for aquaculture and spread throughout the Basin, with the help of widespread flooding in the mid-1970s.
Carp are considered a problem in Australia because they are an invasive species that negatively impact native fish and aquatic ecosystems. They are known to feed on fish eggs and small fish, compete with native species for food and resources, and contribute to the degradation of waterways through their feeding habits.
