Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fish species and information / pictures of Grass carp - Ctenopharyngodon idella

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) fish species information

Scientific Name
Ctenopharyngodon idella

Common Name
Grass carp

Biology
Occurs in lakes, ponds, pools and backwaters of large rivers (Ref. 5723), preferring large, slow-flowing or standing water bodies with vegetation. Tolerant of a wide range of temperatures from 0? to 38?C, and salinities to as much as 10 ppt and oxygen levels down to 0.5 ppm. Feeds on higher aquatic plants and submerged grasses; takes also detritus, insects and other invertebrates. One of the world's most important aquaculture species and also used for weed control in rivers, fish ponds and reservoirs (Ref. 9987). Spawns on riverbeds with very strong current (Ref. 30578). Utilized also fresh and eaten steamed, pan-fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987). Considered as a pest in most countries because of the damages made to submerged vegetation (Ref. 43281).

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1844

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: China to eastern Siberia (Amur River system, Ref. 1441). Widely transported around the world (Ref. 7248). Persists only in Europe by stocking (Ref. 59043). Introductions often brought with it the parasitic tapeworm Bothriocephalus opsarichthydis (synonym of B. acheilognathi) (Ref. 12217). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

65°N - 25°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

35 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 30 m (Ref. 6898)

Trophic Level

2 s.e. 0.00 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

150 cm

Common Length

10.7 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

High to very high vulnerability (65 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.13-0.19; tm=2-10; tmax=21; Fec=50,000)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated