Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a fresh and brackish water fish native from Europe to Asia in the Caspian, Black, and Aral Sea basins. Cyprinus carpio is used for aquaculture, commercial, subsistence, and sport fisheries, aquaria, and bait, which has promoted its spread. C. carpio prefers slower moving waters and can tolerate poor water quality. There are many morphological variations of this species, including the ornamental mirror carp and koi. It is culturally significant in Japan, where it represents strength. The history of invasiveness is high. This species is now established in many locations worldwide, including the United States. Within the United States, only Alaska has not had a documented introduction of this species, and the species has established in all other states. It is also established in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Negative impacts of this species are well-documented in peer-reviewed literature. The primary impacts of this species are habitat modification and reduction of the abundance of macrophytes and macroinvertebrates. When foraging for benthic organisms, this species uproots macrophytes and disturbs sediments. The resultant increase in turbidity and phosphorus loading promotes algal blooms, degrades water quality, prevents growth of macrophytes, and possibly causes effects on higher organisms. This species has also been implicated in the decline of native fish in the United States and Mexico due to competition and egg predation. It is considered a nuisance fish in many introduced countries and is listed as noxious in many Australian states. Cyprinus carpio is also a known carrier of OIE-reportable diseases; no records were found of C. caprio spreading an OIE-reportable disease with introduction. C. carpio has spread other diseases with introduction (i.e. Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in Mexico). The Climate match with the contiguous United States is high. Virtually all of the contiguous United States had a high climate match. Given the amount and quality of information, the certainty of assessment is high. Overall risk for this species is high.