Overview
Mud Carp is a freshwater fish species in Starsand Island. It is a bottom-feeding carp that inhabits the island's lake zones, including Cloudrest Lake near Hopeland. Mud Carp is one of the higher-value lake catches at 163g per fish, putting it on par with the Alligator Gar and Grass Carp in terms of raw sell price. Catching one requires autumn rainy weather and Meat Bait, so plan your fishing trips around the forecast to make the most of the limited catch window.
Catch Details
Property | Value |
|---|---|
Zone | Lake |
Sell Price | 163g |
Season | Autumn |
Weather | Rainy |
Time | 10:00 - 20:00 |
Bait | |
Oxygen Requirement | 3 |
How to Catch
Mud Carp can only be caught during autumn when it is raining, which limits the available windows compared to year-round fish like the Giant Barb. Head to any lake fishing spot between 10:00 and 20:00 on a rainy autumn day. Equip a fishing rod and toss Meat Bait into the water to generate fish shadows. Meat Bait is crafted at the Chopper I station using any fish as input.
Look for medium-sized fish shadows beneath the surface. Cast your line toward a shadow and wait for the bite indicator. When the indicator turns white, reel in. When it turns red, stop reeling and wait for the next white window. Repeat until the fish is fully landed. The Mud Carp does not put up an especially difficult fight, so even the Wooden Rod can handle it without breaking.
Selling and Profit
At 163g per fish, Mud Carp is tied with several other species as one of the more profitable lake catches. Selling directly to any shop on the island is the simplest option, but for better returns, save your Mud Carp for the Merchant Ship at Starsand Port. The Merchant Ship pays 200% of normal sell value, which means each Mud Carp sold there brings in 326g. The ship docks weekly, so stockpile your catches if you want to maximize profit.
Alternatively, processing Mud Carp into Fish Fillet at the Separator and then cooking the fillets into dishes can yield even higher returns. High-value recipes like Redcrest Stew (sells for 529g) and Sauerkraut Fish (sells for 458g) both use Fish Fillet as a primary ingredient.
Recipes Using Fish Fillet
Mud Carp, like all fish, can be processed into Fish Fillet at the Separator. Fish Fillet is one of the most commonly used cooking ingredients, appearing in the following recipes:
Grilled Fish (3x Fish Fillet)
Steamed Fish (4x Fish Fillet, 2x Leek)
Braised Fish (6x Fish Fillet, 2x Leek, 2x Sugar, 1x Fine Salt)
Sashimi (3x Fish Fillet, 2x Rice)
Pan Fried Dilis (3x Fish Fillet, 2x Cooking Oil)
Fish Head Tofu Soup (4x Fish Fillet, 2x Tofu)
Sauerkraut Fish (4x Fish Fillet, 2x Leek, 1x Pepper, 1x Pickled Cabbage)
Redcrest Stew (5x Fish Fillet, 2x Pepper, 1x Fine Salt, 2x Cooking Oil)
Sauteed Grouper Fillet with Shrimp Roe (10x Fish Fillet, 2x Greasyback Shrimp, 2x Fine Salt)
Shrimp and Fish Porridge (2x Fish Fillet, 1x Greasyback Shrimp, 2x Rice)
Fish Pond Breeding
Mud Carp can be placed in a Fish Pond on your property. It has an oxygen requirement of 3, meaning each Mud Carp consumes 3 units of the pond's total oxygen capacity. The Small Fish Pond and Stone Fish Pond both have 12 oxygen capacity, so you can house up to 4 Mud Carp in a small pond. The Medium Fish Pond holds 40 oxygen, allowing for much larger schools.
Stock the pond with Fish Feed (crafted on the Chopper II) each day. Overnight, there is a chance for a fish egg to appear. Place the egg in the incubator cage inside the pond, and it will hatch into a new Mud Carp over time. This passive breeding method lets you grow your supply without spending energy on fishing trips.
Islandpedia
Catching your first Mud Carp registers it in the Islandpedia phone app. This adds to the Fish stamp collection. Completing stamp sets in the Islandpedia unlocks rewards, so catching every species, including seasonal ones like Mud Carp, is important for completionists.
Tips
Mud Carp is only available during autumn rain, so check the weather forecast in your phone app before heading to the lake.
The catch window is 10:00 to 20:00, giving you a full 10 hours of in-game time. Arrive early and bring plenty of Meat Bait.
If it stops raining mid-session, Mud Carp shadows will stop spawning. Switch to other lake fish like Bitterling or Cichlid that do not require specific weather.
For the best profit, process Mud Carp into Fish Fillet and cook it into high-value dishes rather than selling raw fish.
Save a few Mud Carp for the Merchant Ship's weekly visit to earn double the base price.