Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fish species and information / pictures of Silver carp - Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Common Name
Silver carp

Biology
In its natural range, it occurs in rivers with marked water-level fluctuations and overwinters in middle and lower stretches. Forages in shallow (0.5-1.0 m deep) and warm (over 21?C) backwaters, lakes and flooded areas with slow current. Breeds in rivers or tributaries over shallow rapids with gravel or sand bottom, high current (0.5-1.7 m/s), turbid water, temperatures above 15?C (usually 18-26?C) and high oxygen concentrations (Ref. 59043). Migrates upstream to breed; egg and larva float downstream to floodplain zones. An active species well known for its habit of leaping clear of the water when disturbed (Ref. 7248). Swims just beneath the water surface (Ref. 5258). Stocked in large rivers and almost all still water bodies as lakes and ponds. Often escapes from fish farms. In aquaculture, it can survive brackish water (up to 7 ppt) when released into

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1844

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Europe and Asia

Distribution

Europe and Asia: Native to most major Pacific dainages of East Asia from Amur to Xi Jiang, China (Ref. 59043). China and Eastern Siberia. Introduced around the world for aquaculture and control of algal blooms. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction (Ref. 1739). Often confused with Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Ref. 59043).

Range

64°N - 43°S

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

6 °C

Water Temperature To

28 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

20 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 20 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

105 cm

Common Length

18.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16-0.29; tm=2-6)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated