Ever heard of a Ghost Carp? Well, they’re not your typical spooky legend but a rare sight for anglers.
This odd-colored fish is a breeding mix-up between common carp and fancy koi varieties.
In this article, we will check all the information related to ghost carp, including how to recognize them, and even some tips for catching one.
What is a Ghost Carp?
Ghost Carp might sound like something out of a spooky story, but they’re real fish with a unique origin.
Let’s break down the facts about these interesting creatures.
Ghost Carp are a result of breeding regular carp with a specific type of koi carp. Koi carp come in many colors, but the ones used to breed ghost carp have metallic white or yellow scales.
This unique combination gives Ghost Carp their pale coloring, which is how they earned their ghostly name.
Are Ghost Carp Invisible In the Water?
Despite their light color, Ghost Carp aren’t invisible. Their pale scales might make them a little harder to see, especially in murky water.
But in clear water, with a little focus, you should be able to spot them against darker backgrounds.
Are Ghost Carp Cannibals?
Like many carp, Ghost Carp are omnivores. Their main diet consists of insects, crustaceans, and plants found in the water.
While carp are known to eat fish eggs, including their own, Ghost Carp aren’t any more likely to be cannibals than other carp.
How Long Do Ghost Carp Live?
Ghost Carp have a similar lifespan to regular carp, living an average of 20 years. Some carp have even been known to live much longer, with the record holder reaching over 40 years old.
The Ghost Carp lifestyle
Ghost Carp share many of the same habits as their common carp relatives. They’re bottom feeders, sifting through mud and plants for aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small worms. They also enjoy munching on algae and other aquatic vegetation.
Ghost Carp are social fish and tend to travel in schools, following food sources and moving together through the water. Just like regular carp, they can be quite active, especially during feeding times.
Locations
Because they’re a less common variety, finding Ghost Carp can be a bit of a challenge. They’re most likely to be found in ponds and lakes where koi and carp are kept together.
This could include ornamental ponds, aquaculture facilities, or even some public bodies of water where koi have been released.
Since their coloring can make them harder to spot, especially in murky water, the best time to try and find Ghost Carp might be during feeding times when they’re more active near the surface.
The Ghost Carp Habitat
Ghost Carp, like their common carp cousins, are creatures of calm waters.
Ghost Carp aren’t fans of rushing rapids or crashing waves. They thrive in lentic environments, which means slow-moving or still freshwater ecosystems. Ponds, lakes, and some quiet canals are perfect for these ghostly swimmers.
Ghost Carp are benthic feeders, meaning they spend a lot of time near the bottom searching for food. They use their sensitive barbels to sift through mud and soft bottom sediments, finding tasty treats like insects, crustaceans, and worms.
This preference for the bottom also leads them to habitats with soft, vegetative bottoms where they can easily rummage for food.
Ghost Carp are social fish and enjoy the company of their kind. They typically live in schools, swimming together as they search for food and navigate their environment. This social behavior makes them more likely to be found in areas with established carp populations.
The Ghost Carp Angling
Ghost Carp might seem like an easy target due to their light coloring. However, they inherit many of the cunning traits of regular carp.
These fish can be wary feeders, so patience and proper technique are key.
The good news is, you don’t need any special equipment to target Ghost Carp. The same techniques and tackle used for regular carp fishing will work for their ghostly cousins.
Focus on baits that mimic their natural diet, like bottom baits or baits that stir up the bottom sediment, attracting them to the feeding area.
How To Catch Ghost Carp?
Here are some effective methods you can use to tempt a Ghost Carp to your hook:
Method Feeder:
Using a method feeder is a smart way to catch carp, including Ghost Carp. This method involves a feeder weight filled with bait that slowly lets out food as it sits on the bottom.
The yummy scent draws in Ghost Carp, increasing the chances they’ll spot your hookbait among the feast.
Float Fishing:
Float fishing is another great way to catch Ghost Carp, especially if you think they’re hanging out in the middle of the water.
With this method, you use a float to keep your bait just above the bottom.
By tinkering with the weight and floatiness of your setup, you can make sure your bait is at the right depth to attract those elusive carp.
Surface Fishing:
Surface fishing might seem like a long shot, but it can be surprisingly effective for Ghost Carp, especially if they’re actively feeding near the surface.
This method involves using buoyant baits that float on the water’s surface, mimicking insects or other surface prey.
While it might take some patience and observation to find actively feeding Ghost Carp, a well-placed surface bait can be irresistible to a hungry fish.
What Do Ghost Carp Eat?
Ghost Carp are omnivores, enjoying a mix of plants and animals. Their bottom-dwelling lifestyle means they spend a lot of time sifting through mud and soft sediments for tasty morsels.
Here’s what’s typically on their menu:
- Invertebrates: These are a major food source, including insects like larvae and worms, crustaceans like crayfish and shrimp, and mollusks like mussels and snails.
- Aquatic Plants: Ghost Carp graze on algae and other soft aquatic plants, adding some roughage to their diet.
- Fish Eggs: Like many carp, Ghost Carp are opportunistic feeders and won’t shy away from a tasty fish egg, including their own.
Preferred baits:
Knowing what Ghost Carp eat naturally helps you choose the right bait. Here are some effective options to mimic their typical food sources:
Bottom Baits:
These baits sink to the bottom, mimicking the natural foods Ghost Carp find while rummaging in the mud.
Popular options include boilies (dough balls made with various ingredients), pellets (compressed fish food), and maggots (insect larvae).
Groundbait:
Some baits can stir up the bottom sediment, mimicking the activity of Ghost Carp as they search for food.
Groundbait (a mix of ground-up baits and attractants) and spod mixes (loose mixes designed to be launched with a special tool) can be effective in attracting Ghost Carp to your baited area.
Floating Options:
While less common, Ghost Carp might be feeding near the surface.
In these cases, consider buoyant baits like fake insects, bread crusts, or specially designed pop-up boilies that float enticingly just above the water’s surface.