This lifeform is found widely in Eurasia. This lifeform is widespread in North America. Parts of this lifeform are edible. This lifeform is very common in suitable environments.

Common carp, Cyprinus carpio, was originally a native of central Europe in such rivers as the Danube. The fish is now distributed worldwide because many people consider it a desirable table fish. Experiences in Illinois would indicate that this fish will grow in such numbers that it will literally "takeover" a lake and reduce the oxygen supply so low that normal game fish can not survive. They also tend to stir up the bottom and make a clear lake have a murky appearance. Although they will not do well in a large deep lake, they will most certainly upset the ecology of any shallow weedy lake. Although most specimens are only five to eight pounds, giants over forty pounds are not rare, and specimens over sixty pounds have been taken.

The Koi Carp from Japan appears to be an ornamental form of this species. The Goldfish, Carassius auratus, seems to be a  different species but natural hybrids between carp and goldfish  have been reported.

Carp Family, Cyprinidae, is a group of freshwater fishes that  contains the carp, the familiar goldfish, the bream, and many  other kinds of fish.

Order Cypriniformes contains the majority of the world's  freshwater species of fish. Included in this order are the  minnows, carp, and many other groups of fish.

Bony fish, Class Teleostomi, are a class of chordates that  include the majority of fish-like animals found on earth. They  are characterized by a bony jaw and a bony skeleton. They are  found in both fresh and marine waters.

Backboned Animals (Phylum Chordata) are the most advanced group of animals on earth. These animals are characterized by having a spinal cord or backbone. Most members have a clearly defined brain that controls the organism through a spinal cord. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are in this phylum.

Currently, some taxonomists believe that the fish should be divided into two groups (sharks and regular fishes) and that there are some other primitive groups in the phylum such as hagfish or lampreys.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.