Concept
Several species of heavy-bodied cyprinid fishes are collectively known in the United States as Asian carp. Cyprinids from the Indian subcontinent—for example, catla (Catla catla) and mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus)—are not included in this classification and are known collectively as "Indian carp". Asian carp are considered invasive species in the United States. In June, 2022, the EPA funded initiative to rebrand Asian Carp as Copi was announced. The new name — Copi — is a part of the Federal and multi-state campaign to reintroduce the carps to the public as a healthy and responsible seafood option in order to decrease its numbers in U.S. waterways. Ten Asian carp have been substantially introduced outside their native ranges: Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) Amur carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Largescale silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys harmandi) Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) Goldfish (Carassius auratus) Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella) All the above, except largescale silver carp, have been cultivated in aquaculture in China for over 1,000 years. Largescale silver carp, a more southern species, is native to Vietnam and is cultivated there. Grass, silver, bighead, and black carp are known as the "Four Domesticated Fish" in China and are the most important freshwater fish species for food and traditional Chinese medicine. Bighead and silver carp are the most important fish, worldwide, in terms of total aquaculture production. Common carp, amur carp and crucian carp are also common food fishes in China and elsewhere. Goldfish, though, are cultivated mainly as pet fish. Common carp are native to both Eastern Europe and Western Asia, so they are sometimes called a "Eurasian" carp. A long tradition of Asian carp exists in Chinese culture and literature.