Body Shape:
- Males: Male European carp typically have a more streamlined and slender body shape, with a more prominent hump on their backs.
- Females: Females tend to have a rounder and fuller body shape, with a less pronounced hump.
Coloration:
- Males: Male European carp often exhibit brighter and more vibrant colors during the spawning season, which occurs in spring. Their coloration can range from deep gold to red or orange, with darker markings on their fins.
- Females: Females generally have a more subdued coloration, with greenish or olive-brown shades and less prominent markings.
Genital Openings:
- Males: The genital opening in male European carp is located near the base of the pelvic fin and is generally V-shaped.
- Females: The genital opening in females is located slightly behind the pelvic fin and is typically round or U-shaped.
Size:
- Males: Male European carp tend to be smaller in size compared to females of the same age.
- Females: Females usually grow larger and heavier than males.
Spawning Behavior:
- Males: During the spawning season, male European carp engage in courtship behavior by chasing and nudging females to encourage egg-laying.
- Females: Females release eggs into the water, which are then fertilized by the males.
It's important to note that these are general differences, and there can be variations within populations of European carp. Additionally, the characteristics may vary slightly during different stages of their life cycle or in different geographic locations.