Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Scientific name: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Valenciennes, 1844

The Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 6–28°C (43–82°F).

Silver carp care at a glance

Temperature: 6–28°C (43–82°F)

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. 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. Swims just beneath the water surface. 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

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 105
Common length: 18.0
Depth range: 0–20 m (0–66 ft)
Environment: Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 0 - 20 m
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: Europe and Asia: Native to most major Pacific dainages of East Asia from Amur to Xi Jiang, China. China and Eastern Siberia. Introduced around the world for aquaculture and control of algal blooms. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. Often confused with Hypophthalmichthys nobilis.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Potential pest
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16-0.29; tm=2-6)

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026