| SOURCE FOR OCCURRENCE IN ECUADOR: Barriga (2012), Jimenez et al. (2015). |
| ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema Naturae, Ed. X. (Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata.) Holmiae. v.1:i-ii+1-824. |
| TYPE SPECIMENS: |
| TAXONOMIC STATUS: Valid (Eschmeyer and Fricke, 2017). |
| RANGE ECUADOR: Introduced into artificial ponds, impoundments and lakes throughout Ecuador. Jimenez et al. (2015) report collections in the Cajas region over 1500 m above sea level. |
| RANGE OUTSIDE OF ECUADOR: Originally from Eurasia, this species is widespread throughout the world as an ornamental and food fish. |
| COLLECTIONS IN ECUADOR: |
| MAXIMUM SIZE: Can grow to very large sizes (over a meter in length) but common to about 30 cm. May live decades in captivity (Froese and Pauly, 2017). |
| DISTINGUISHING FEATURES: This species is easily distinguishable from native species because it is a member of the family Cyprinidae and all cyprinids are introduced in South America. It is likely most common in western Ecuador as an ornamental in ponds and can be distinguished by its bright, variable colors, overall body form and the presence of small barbels on the sides of the mouth. |
| ECOLOGY: A relatively large fish in the region, it feeds on benthic resources in ponds and lakes in which it is introduced. Spawns in shallow areas rich in vegetation. In tropical areas it can breed all year (Froese and Pauly, 2017). We are not aware of directed studies of this species in western Ecuador since it typically occurs in artificial settings in association with humans. |
| ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE: Important as an ornamental stocked in ponds and lakes throughout Ecuador. |
| CONSERVATION STATUS: This is a non-indigenous species so this category is not applicable. |
| LINK TO FISHBASE PAGE: http://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cyprinus-carpio.html |
| SPECIES PROFILE CREATED BY: Windsor Aguirre |
| SPECIES PROFILE CONTRIBUTORS: NA |
