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Varieties of Carp
There are seven different strains of carp in the UK, including:
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The Galician Carp
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The Dinkelsbuehl Carp
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The Ropsha Carp
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The Italian Carp
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The Aischgrund Carp
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The Frame Carp
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The Royale Carp
Females are generally easier to spot because their stomach is plump. Males
retain a sleek 'torpedo' shape. When males are ready for spawning, they
develop breeding nodules on the head and pectoral fins, principally along
the bones of the fin rays. These appear as fine whitish raised spots. They
are found in abundance on the pectoral fins and are rough to the touch.
During breeding, the male nudges the female with his head and fins to
encourage spawning.
The Galician Carp
The Galician Carp, aka Galician Mirror Carp or Galician King Carp, is a very
prolific breeder. The strain originated in Galicia, Poland and was bred by
A. Gasch in 1900. The Redmire strain of Galician carp were spawned in
Holland in 1932. Two years later, it was stocked into Redmire by Donald
Leney of the Surrey Trout Farm for Lt. Col. Barnardiston to try to control
weed growth. The Galician can grow up to 40lbs and look almost circular on
occasions. Its body is compressed laterally, moderately elongate, and
covered with large cycloid scales. It has a slightly forward facing down
turned mouth. Galicians have both forks of the tail pointed. They are
coloured dark on back, golden on sides, and the belly, pectorals and pelvics
are light-yellow. Galicians have an orange ventral fin and a grey caudal fin
with an orange shade. Coloration changes dependent on habitat.
The Dinkelsbuehl Carp
The Dinkelsbuehl Carp (“Dinks”) originated in Germany. It has a very fat
shape with huge rounded scales. Dinkelsbuehls have a down turned, small
circular mouth. “Dinks” rarely grow above 30lbs. They can be found at
Dorchester lagoon in Oxfordshire. "Dinks" are mainly mirrors, but commons,
linears and leathers can be found
The Ropsha Carp
The Ropsha strain originated in Russia. Some sources say it came from
Hungary. It is a hybrid fish produced between Amur wild carp and Galician
carp. The Ropsha is a very long, lean looking fish. It has a down turned
mouth. These carp rarely grow over 30lbs.
The Italian Carp
Italian carp have a slightly forward facing mouth in a torpedo shaped head.
The body is usually big and round. They are mainly grey in colour and will
grow to over 40lbs. Italian carp can be found in the Waveney Valley Lakes in
Norfolk or Savay.
The Aischgrund Carp
The Aischgrunder strain was developed in Aischgrund, Bavaria, Germany,
during the past 300 years. Considered to be really ugly, it has an
incredibly high, arched back and a slightly blunt and often upturned mouth.
It is usually gold yellowish in color, although variations such as blue or
complete lack of silvery shine are known. Aischgrunders are flat and grow
fast, reaching 45lbs in ten years.
The Frame Carp
The Frame Carp gets its name from the scale patterns running either along
its back or flanks. It is a round fish and grows up to 40lb. These are
stocked at Fishabil in France.
The Royale Carp
The Royale Carp is characterized by distinctive 'humpy' shoulders and a low
fairly straight back. Its scales tend to be very large and in the middle of
the body along the lateral line. It is coloured in two tones. Some anglers
consider it to be the best looking fish around. It has an exceptional growth
rate of between 4 and 6lb per year. Royale Carp range in size from 26 to
40lbs.
All of the above strains of
carp can be caught in the UK, providing you target them with a
good
bait application. Many carp will eat most foods, but some do tend to
prefer a
food source that has been accepted as safe, thus, to catch them you need
to do your homework.
References
Carpfishing UK. 2007. Forum topic: How Many Strains of Carp? URL:
http://www.carp-uk.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23957 (Accessed May 6,
2007).
Grattidge, Julian. 2006. Northern Monkeys Forum topic: English or Foreign?
URL:
http://www.northwestcarp.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=100&page=2
(Accessed May 7, 2007).
--------------------. 2006. Northern Monkeys Forum topic: Ultimate Rig?
Transferred. URL:
http://www.northwestcarp.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=51 (Accessed May
6, 2007).
Jen. 2003. List of Strains for Cyprinus carpio carpio. URL:
http://wap.fishbase.org/physiology/strainlist.cfm?ID=1450 (Accessed May
6, 2007).
Maggotdrowner’s Forum. 2005. Forum topic: Fat Specimen Fish. URL:
http://www.maggotdrowning.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=30248
(Accessed May 6, 2007).
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