Carp are a species of minnow that can grow up to 15 lbs. Although this species is originally native to central Asia, it has been widely introduced into aquatic ecosystems throughout the world. Earlier in this century, many efforts were made to introduce carp into Canadian water, and populations have been established in the appropriate habitats of Quebec. This species spawns in extremely shallow and marshy areas, and during spawning in spring and summer, it can often be found thrashing about in shallow waters, with little of its body submerse in water. Because of their large size and destructive habits, carp can have negative impacts on ecosystems, particularly as this species substantially increases the turbidity of waters and destroys and uproots aquatic vegetation that serves as habitat for a variety of aquatic organisms.