In order to study the effect of pond and paddy field cultivation mode on the flavor substances of C.carpio var. Quanzhouensis, headspace solid phase microextraction method was used to detect the contents of E-2-nonenal, 2-methylisothiol (2-MIB), and geosmin (GSM) in muscles and hepatopancreas. The content of hypoxanthine nucleotides (IMP) was determined by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that in terms of earthy smell substances, the contents of 2-methylisoalloxal and geosmin in the muscle of C.carpio var. Quanzhouensis cultured in paddy fields were extremely significantly higher than those in pond cultivation mode, and the contents of e-2-nonenal and geosmin in the hepatopancreas of C.carpio var. Quanzhouensis cultured in paddy fields were extremely higher than those in pond cultivation mode (P<0.01). In terms of umami substances, IMP contents in the muscles of C.carpio var.Quanzhouensis cultured in paddy fields were extremely higher than those in ponds (P<0.01); no significant differences were found in the IMP content of the hepatopancreas. In conclusion, C.carpio var. Quanzhouensis cultured in paddy fields had a higher umami taste, but also a heavier earth odor; C.carpio var. Quanzhouensis cultured in ponds had a weak soil flavor, but umami taste was not strong.