AquaNISInformation system on aquatic non-indigenous and cryptogenic species |
Species | Hypophthalmichthys molitrix [WoRMS] | |
Authority | (Valenciennes, 1844) | |
Family | Cyprinidae | |
Order | Cypriniformes | |
Class | Actinopterygii | |
Phylum | Chordata | |
Synonym (?) | ||
Sub-species level (?) | Not entered |
Native origin (?) | Not entered |
Life form / Life stage (?) |
Comments: While it is fundamentally benthopelagic, as an active species it swims just below the water surface and is well known for its habit of leaping clear of the water when disturbed. |
Sociability / Life stage (?) |
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Reproductive frequency (?) | Iteroparous References (not structured): Chapman D (2004) Facts about Bighead and Silver carp. USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Centre. http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/center/pdfDocs/Asian_carp-2-2004.pdf |
Reproductive type (?) | Sexual References: Chapman D (2004) Facts about Bighead and Silver carp. USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Centre. http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/center/pdfDocs/Asian_carp-2-2004.pdf |
Developmental trait (?) | Spawning References: Chapman D (2004) Facts about Bighead and Silver carp. USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Centre. http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/center/pdfDocs/Asian_carp-2-2004.pdf Comments: Silver carp spawn in late spring and summer, when the temperature of the water is relatively high. From April to August, either because of the rainstorms or the swollen upper reaches of streams and rivers, its broodstock are concentrated in spawning locations where conditions are favourable, and the current swift, complicated and irregular. |
Characteristic feeding method / Life stage (?) |
References (not structured): Chapman D (2004) Facts about Bighead and Silver carp. USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Centre. http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/pubs/center/pdfDocs/Asian_carp-2-2004.pdf Comments: Silver carp are typical planktivores, the gillrakers being the main means of filtration. Silver carp consume diatoms, dinoflagellates, chrysophytes, xanthophytes, some green algae and cyanobacteria ('blue green algae'). In addition, detritus, conglomerations of bacteria, rotifers and small crustaceans are other major components of their natural diet. |
Mobility / Life stage (?) |
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Salinity tolerance range (?) | Not entered |
Habitat modifying ability potential (?) | Keystone species References: Domaizon I, Devaux J (1999) Experimental Study of the Impacts of Silver Carp on Plankton Communities of Eutrophic Villerest Reservoir (France), Université Blaise Pascal Clermont II. Aquatic Ecology 33(2):193-204 Comments: The species has been introduced in many countries all over the world for two reasons; aquaculture and to control plankton in nutrient-rich ponds and wastewater treatment plants. Their ability to control algal blooms is rather controversial. It was reported that silver carp is efficient in controlling the algal bloom if the right number of fish is used. It is because silver carp can efficiently filter algae >20 µm in size, consequently the number of the smaller algae increases as a result of lack of grazing by the fish and by increase in nutrient by internal loading. |
Toxicity / Life stage (?) | Not relevant |
Bioaccumulation association (?) | Not entered |
Known human health impact? | Not entered |
Known economic impact? | Not entered |
Known measurable environmental impact? | Not entered |
Included in the Target Species list? | Not entered |
Association with vessel vectors (?) | Not entered |
Molecular information | Not entered |
Last update by | Henn Ojaveer, 2015-06-05 |