Grass Carp
Grass Carp - Ctenopharyngodon idella
Description
The Grass carp has an elongated, chubby, torpedo-shaped body. The mouth has non-fleshy, firm lips, and no barbels. It is a large, fast growing species with the British record being a fish weighing over 50 pounds.
Habitat
This species occurs in lakes, ponds, pools, and backwaters of large rivers, preferring large, slow-flowing or standing water bodies with vegetation.
When to see it
All year round but especially in summer.
Life History
They eat up to three times their own body weight daily.
UK Status
An introduced species that is already widespread in England and Wales.
VC55 Status
Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland, but probably unreported from some small pools.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured squares = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Additional images
No additional images available for this species.

