Question:

Hi Shaun

This is a question I have asked quite a few times on Facebook and on my site but no one seems to know the answer.

We know that humans can survive without oxygen for a certain period of time before damage can occur to the brain etc.

Is there an equivelent time for carp?

Also you see alot of anglers pouring water over the carp while they are keeping it out of the water. What is the point of this as it surely doesnt help them breath? Is it just to keep them lubricated so we dont scrub off the protective slime too much?

Most people answer this question with “be as quick as you can” or “just put them straight back in” but there must be a scientific answer out there somewhere?

Regards

Norton

Answer:

Hi Norton,

Starting off with the first part of your question there isn’t a set time scale for how long a carp can survive out of the water before damage to the brain could occur. Like us some carp are much stronger than other carp so would survive a greater length of time. So long as the fish is kept damp and doesn’t dry out there are instances of carp living for a unacceptable time out of actual water (running into hours) but this doesn’t mean it is okay for them to do this.

The common answers you have received elsewhere have been quite right in being as quick as you can with them on the bank. I go a stage further and actually give my fish a bit of time in the landing net before removing them from the water – particularly after a hard fight. This gives them the chance to regain their composure a little before putting them through the minor ordeal of a visit on the bank.

You can see the bowl I use for keeping them damp.

I always have a fold up bowl in the un-hooking mat though which I fill with water to both wet my hands before touching the fish and for rinsing the fish down making sure they are wet at all times. This does protect their protective coating of mucus/slime and stops them transferring it to your mat and sling etc – they grow it because they need it – your mat doesn’t.

So, although carp have been known to live long periods out of water it is still best avoided. They live in the water for a reason, if they didn’t mind being out of it they would have evolved as amphibians.

Best fishes

Shaun Harrison

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