Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is the fish species which belongs to the family Cyprinidae and native to Asia and Eastern Europe. It is the species of genus Cyprinus. Cyprinus carpio have elongated and compressed body of average size 40-80 cm (15.75-31.5 inches). It has thick lips and large scales. Body color is bronze, yellow or brassy with a yellowish to white belly. As it is omnivorous, its diet is algae, insects, water vegetation, crustaceans, worms, small fish and zooplankton. They weighs about 30 kg. The adult female lays about 300000 of eggs which hatch after four to eight days. It deposits eggs in a shallow water. Some common names of Carp are Common Carp, European carp, German carp, Chinese carp, Asian carp, Great carp, Edible carp, Aischgrund carp, Amur wild carp, Amur carp, Asian carp, Calico carp, Blubber lips, Great carp, Grass carp, koi, Leather carp, Koi carp, Mirror carp, Nishiki-koi, Mud sucker, Scale carp, Wild Common Carp and Wild carp.

History

The word carp is derived from Greek “Cyprinus” and Latin “carpio”. It was firstly introduced in 1877 in North America. It was widely distributed in North America, Central Canada and Central Mexico. The history was traced to Roman times. In most of the areas, it is consumed as food but it is also used as pest. Common carp was found about 2000 years ago in Inland delta of Danube River. It has golden to yellow color and a shape of torpedo. It was kept in the large ponds built by Romans in the South to Central Europe. Common Carp is inherent to Caspian Sea, Aral Sea and Black Sea. The Asian and European subspecies was domesticated. The monks spread the carp domestication as a food fish in Europe between 13th and 16th century. In 12th century, the carp reached to Delta of Rhine. With its domestication variants was arised.

Types of Carp

1. Common carp

It is also called European Carp and is inherent to Europe and Asia. It has got introduced to worldwide. It measures about 5 ft. long and weighs over 80 lb. or 37.3 kg. It is dark brown to light gold in color.

2. Mirror carp

This carp has mirror like scales in their body. It grows bout 5 ft or 1.5 metres long and weighs about 60 lb or 27.2 kg.

3. Leather carp

It has lower number of red blood cells. It grows upto 4 feet long and weighs over 50 lb. or 22.7 kg.

4. Crucian Carp

Crucian carp is mostly found in lakes and ponds. It has high backs in the form of disc shape. It could survive in low oxygen and poor quality water.

5. Grass Carp

Crucian carp is smaller in comparison to Common Carp. It measures upto 1 to 2 feet or 0.4 meters and weighs more than 4 lb. or 1.8 kg. It has rounded heads and long slender bodies.

6. Ghost Carp

It is also called Ghosties which has metallic lustre and is in the color of gold, silver and white. It grows upto 4 ft. or 1.2 meters long and weighs about 50 lb. or 22.7 kg.

Nutritional value

One fillet provides 275 calories, 118.37 g of moisture, 38.86 g of protein, 12.19 g of total lipid fat and 3.18 g of ash. It also covers 129% of phosphorus, 107.18% of isoleucine, 106.76% of lysine, 104.17% of Vitamin B12, 98.86% of tryptophan, 96.76% of threonine, 94.84% of valine, 92.86% of histidine, 85.47% of leucine, 77.72% of protein, 50% of selenium, 34.83% of total lipid fat, 33.75% of iron, 29.58% of Vitamin B5, 29.36% of zinc, 28.62% of Vitamin B6, 22.31% of niacin, 19.83% of thiamin, 15.48% of magnesium, 15.45% of potassium and 13.78% of copper.

Health Benefits of Carp

Carp fish is loaded with various nutrients. It is able to lower inflammation, enhances heart function, promote digestive function and slows down the aging process. It has high content of protein and low amount of saturated fat. It is flavorful and tender which is added to culinary dishes and soups.

1. Healthy heart

Carp contains high amount of omega-3 fatty acids that protects the heart health. It improves the balance of omega 6s and omega 3s to prevent the buildup of plaque and reduce the chances of atherosclerosis. It lowers the blood pressure; prevent the strain on cardiovascular system that helps to reduce the chances of stroke or heart attack. (1)

2. Anti-inflammatory properties

Carp fish has Omega-3 fatty acids which is great for heart and also lowers the inflammation. The high presence of good cholesterol helps to lower the chances of rheumatoid arthritis. The intake of omega-3 is associated with the prevention of osteoarthritis. (2)

3. Enhance immunity

The deficiency of zinc such as calcium or iron could affect the immune system. It helps to stimulate the immune system. Carp is rich in zinc which provides about 10% in a single serving. (3)

4. Gastrointestinal health

The gastrointestinal system and gut inflammation could result to the health conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The addition of carp to the diet helps to reduce constipation, bloating, stomach upset and hemorrhoids. The presence of Omega-3 fatty acid helps to lower the chances of inflammatory bowel syndromes. (4)

5. Chronic ailments

Carp has minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin A is regarded as an antioxidant which could eradicate free radicals and its negative impacts. The free radicals could mutate the healthy cells that could result to chronic disease and cancer. (5)

6. Respiratory ailments

The high amount of nutrients and minerals helps to maintain the respiratory health. The conditions such as chronic respiratory distress, bronchitis and other illness are associated with respiratory tracts and lungs. Carp helps to lower inflammation and speeds up the healing process as well. (6)

7. Bone and teeth health

Carp has high content of phosphorus which is essential for the retention and development of mineral density of bones. It prevents the chances of osteoporosis, damaged or weakened enamel. (7)

8. Slows down aging process

The blemishes, age sports, wrinkles on skin are caused due to losing of elasticity. Antioxidants enhance the production of healthy cells and slow down the process of aging. It could reverse the process of aging. (8)

9. Sound sleep

Carp is helpful for having sound sleep due to the presence of adequate amount of magnesium. It stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that helps to calm nervous system and provides restful sleep. The intake of carp helps to treat insomnia. (9)

10. Hormones

Vitamin B stimulate metabolism and balance the level of hormones. Carp has iodine that helps to balance the thyroid gland functions and hormones in the body. An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in fish promotes the functions of chemical process. (10)

11. Vision health

Beta carotene acts as an antioxidant which is associated with promoting the vision health and retina strength. The intake of carp promotes the vision and lowers oxidative stress, vision deficiency and prevents macular degeneration. (11)

12. Enhance cognition

Selenium, zinc, antioxidants and Omega-3s is associated with the cognitive health. It stimulates neural pathways and prevents oxidative stress in the blood vessels and capillaries of brain. It assist focus, memory, high concentration and prevents the chances of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. (12)

Traditional uses

• The cooked meat of the fish helps to treat cough and reduce temperature of the body.
• The fish skin should be burned to ashes and drink with water. This helps to treat suffocation.
• Burn the eyes which are helpful for the injury, stabbed or pain.
• The application of blood to the swelling helps to cure it completely.
• The bone helps to cure the vaginal discharge of woman.
• The brain is used to cure epilepsy. The intake of porridge along with the brain of carp treats unsound ear.
• Eating porridge with carp brain can cure unsound ear.
• The intestine is used as a treatment for ulcers in children, hemorrhoids and ear infections.
• The use of teeth with alcohol or vinegar is helpful for the people who pee out gravel and sand spread out.
• The sore red eyes could be treated with the use of gall and also considered great for eyesight.
• Fin helps to cure the period pains. It should be burned and drink with wine. It also treats the blood pulse.
• The intake of cooked fat is the treatment for epileptic convulsion in children.
• The edema patients should consume carp porridge.

Precautions                                                                                                 

It contains high amount of fat which could lead to heart problems.

How to Eat         

It could be canned, pickled and smoked.

Other Facts        

• The world record for Carp fish which was catched in Romania weighed about 83 pounds.
• It was originated from Black, Caspian and Aral seas.
• In 15th century, it was known in Britain.
• They belong to minnow family.
• In US and Europe, Carp caviar is quite popular.
• It is quite difficult to recognize their gender.
• They are regarded as a good omen.

References:

http://sirhealth.com/all-parts-of-the-carp-can-be-used-as-drugs-in-traditional-medicine/ 

https://blog.fishtec.co.uk/surprising-carp-facts 

http://www.fishing-for-carp.co.uk/types-species-of-carp.php

http://anglinglines.com/blog/the-carp-species/

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