Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

Scientific name: Mylopharyngodon piceus Richardson, 1846

Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

The Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 40°C (104°F).

Black carp care at a glance

Temperature
40°C (104°F)

Biology

Inhabits large lowland rivers and lakes, preferably with clear water and high oxygen concentrations. Larvae feed on zooplankton, then on ostracods and aquatic insects. At about 120 mm SL, juveniles start to prey on small snails and clams while larger juveniles and adults feed almost entirely on molluscs. Undertakes upriver migration and spawns in open waters. Deposits pelagic or semipelagic eggs which hatch while drifting downstream. Larvae settle into floodplain lakes and channels with little or no current. Maximum age probably exceeds 15 years; the figure of 20 years is not supported by data.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Mylopharyngodon piceus
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
122
Common length
12.2
Depth range
5–30 m (16–98 ft)
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5 demersal; potamodromous; depth range 5 - 30 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Asia: Amur river basin to southern China. Reported from Vietnam. Persists only in Europe by stocking or accidental releases. Several countries reported adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.08-0.09; tm=3-9; tmax >13; Fec=1,000,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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