THE CARPS AND MINNOWS 



(Cyprinidae) 



The carps and minnows are of varied shapes, the carps being deep 

 and heavy-bodied and the minnows proper mostly slender. The 

 head is without scales, while the body, in our forms, is covered by 

 scales. A more complete account of this interesting and important 

 group may be found in Minnows of Michigan, by C. L. Hubbs and 

 G. P. Cooper. 



Carp (Cy primes carpio) 



Appearance. Thick-bodied, humpbacked, covered with coarse 

 scales overlaid with a blanket of mucous; color, muddy to olive 

 brown. 



Size. 600 mm. long. 



Habitat. Shallow lakes and warm bays and sloughs, wherever 

 introduced. 



Breeding Habits. During the early mornings of May and June 

 a single female carp pursued by four or five males will dash 

 through the dense vegetation of some shallow bay. Amid much 

 splashing she deposits 500 or 600 eggs at a time. This boisterous 

 egg laying continues until her 400,000 or more eggs are gone. The 

 scattered eggs adhere to plant roots and stems, where they hatch 

 in about twelve days. 



Food. Anything of animal or vegetable origin in any form, 

 even if decayed. 



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