Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes, 1844)

Silver carp

Catalog of Fishes (gen., sp.) | ITIS | CoL

Classification	Actinopterygii \| Cypriniformes \| Cyprinidae
Synonyms	Leuciscus molitrix, Abramocephalus microlepis, Cephalus mantschuricus, ... more
Common names	Carpe argentée, Carpa plateada, Carpe argentée, ... more

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Image of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver carp)

Picture by Lovshin, L.

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Main reference

Skelton, P.H. 1993. (Ref. 7248)
Other references | Biblio | Coordinator | Collaborators

Size / Weight / Age

Max length : 105 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 40637); common length : 18.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 35840); max. published weight: 50.0 kg (Ref. 30578)

Environment

Benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; depth range 0 - 20 m (Ref. 6898)

Climate / Range

Subtropical; 6°C - 28°C (Ref. 37797); 64°N - 43°S

Asia: China and Eastern Siberia. Introduced around the world for aquaculture and control of algal blooms. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Short description

Dorsal spines (total): 1 - 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6 - 7; Anal spines: 1 - 3; Anal soft rays: 10 - 14. Body olivaceous to silvery. Barbels absent. Keels extend from isthmus to anus. Edge of last simple dorsal ray not serrated. Branched anal rays 12-13.5 (Ref. 13274).

Requires standing or slow-flowing conditions such as in impoundments or the backwaters of large rivers. Feeds on phytoplankton and zooplankton (Ref. 30578, 10294). In its natural range, it 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). Utilized fresh for human consumption and also introduced to many countries where its ability to clean reservoirs and other waters of clogging algae is appreciated even more than its food value (Ref. 9987). It is among 3 or 4 species of cyprinids whose world production in aquaculture exceeds 1 million tons per year (Ref. 30578). Larvae and small juveniles feed on zooplankton; from 15mm SL only feeds on phytoplankton. Very sensitive to low temperature (below 5°C) and oxygen deficit. (Ref. 59043).


IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 57073)	Threat to humans
Not Evaluated	Potential pest

Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial


More information
Countries FAO areas Ecosystems Occurrences Introductions Ecology Diet Food items Food consumption Ration	Common names Synonyms Metabolism Predators Ecotoxicology Reproduction Maturity Spawning Eggs Egg development	Age/Size Growth Length-weight Length-length Length-frequencies Morphometrics Morphology Larvae Larval dynamics Recruitment	Other references Biblio Aquaculture Aquaculture profile Strains Genetics Allele frequencies Heritability Diseases Processing	Collaborators Pictures Stamps Sounds Ciguatera Speed Swim. type Gill area Otoliths Brains Vision

Tools
Biogeographic modelling \| E-book \| Field guide \| Identification keys \| Length-frequency wizard \| Life-history tool \| Point map

Special reports
Check for Aquarium maintenance \| Check for Species Fact Sheets \| Check for Aquaculture Fact Sheets

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Summary page \| Point data \| Common names \| Photos

Internet sources

Estimation of some characteristics with mathematical models

Resilience (Ref. 69278)

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


Vulnerability (Ref. 59153)	Price category (Ref. 80766)
Moderate to high vulnerability (52 of 100)	Not marketed/unknown

Entered by Luna, Susan M.

Modified by Bailly, Nicolas

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Page last modified by : elaxamana, 15 July 2009

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