Skeletal specimen of a carp, Cyprinus. Mounted in clear resin mount.
Carp, especially young fish are food for larger fish and predators such as catfish, sturgeons, and seals. Carp can live in a large variety of habitats from small streams and ponds to large lakes and rivers. They are mostly found in fresh water but some species can tolerate brackish (mixture of salt and fresh water) habitats. Some carp swim in the upper parts of water to catch their prey whilst other carp like the common carp stay mainly at the bottom. Carp are streamlined for high speed and for swimming in fast moving water. Most carp are covered with small scales to keep them streamlined and fast moving in order to catch their prey.
