80 FISH CULTURE 



growers, attaining heavy weights and having the 

 reputation of great longevity. Specimens 

 weighing from 20 to 25 pounds are not uncom- 

 mon, and occasionally there are found some, 

 particularly of the mirror carp, which will turn 

 the scales at 40 pounds. In water of ordinary 

 temperature carp will acquire a weight of from 

 three to three and a half pounds when three 

 years old, and where the water is warmer they 

 sometimes reach it in a year or two. 



Spawning Habits. — ^In the warmer parts of 

 the United States carp begin spawning as early 

 as April, but in the Middle States not until May 

 and June. Under ordinary circumstances they 

 require three years to reach maturity; but it 

 is said that under very favourable circum- 

 stances they sometimes spawn when only two 

 years old. According to Eobert A. Poppe, carp 

 have been known to spawn when nine months 

 old. Whatever the age, fish first spawning are 

 from three to four pounds in weight, with a 

 length of from 15 to 18 inches. The eggs are 

 very small, but the number to each female is 

 exceedingly large, a female weighing from four 

 to five pounds yielding from 40,000 to 50,000 



