There are some similarities between the catfish and carp. They are two common freshwater fish that grow to a large size in the river. However, the carps tend to select the water bodies they live carefully. Carps can be found in the rivers that have murky waters. The carps prefer these parts of the river to hide from prey and also feed on smaller aquatic animals such as worms, snails, and smaller fish. Carps can hardly be found swimming close to the water surface, a behavior also noticed among the catfish. They are both referred to as bottom feeders.
Catfish vs Carp
Catching the carps and catfish will require the anglers to set their rigs at depths that cat position the bait where carps can see them. Catfish and carps can be caught with similar hooks; however; catfish have a stronger sense of smell to detect the presence of bait in the water. The catfish have barbells that increase their sense of smell, helping them to locate prey easily.
Catfish and carps have been known to exist side by side in the same ponds or rivers; however, there is a chance that smaller fish from both species can be eaten up by the much larger fish. To avoid this situation, farmers can remove the larger carps or catfish to another pond to protect the smaller fish.
Regarding physical features, besides the prominent barbells on the catfish, the carps have scales on their bodies. This is how you can easily tell the difference between carps and catfish. The scales on the carps vary among the species; the Asian carps are totally covered with scales while some carp species such as the leather carps have scales only on their sides. The catfish, on the other hand, do not have scales on their bodies; they are covered in thick slimy flesh of different colors depending on the catfish species.
Carps also have a preference for moving waters; they move around the rivers in small schools. The bigger carps congregate in smaller schools of about five or six large carps. Catfish can be found below river currents underwater, where they wait in search of prey swimming along the current. Both fish species find adequate places in the shallow parts of the water to spawn.
Carps are also omnivores like the catfish. They both feed on living aquatic animals and plants in the river. The mixed diet is one of the reasons carps and catfish grow to become quite big. They get enough proteins from the living aquatic animals they eat, such as worms, crayfish, smaller fish and others. The aquatic plants are usually food supplements when there is a shortage of their favorite foods or during the winter season.
Commercially, carps and catfish are in high demand. Averagely, it can be stated that catfish have more commercial value than carps based on demand and supply. While carps spawn in thousands, it seems more of the catfish survive after spawning; hence they are easier to catch and sell. Carps are also known to be quite elusive, making it more difficult for anglers to catch carps.
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