Family : Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order : Cypriniformes  (carps)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Silver carp
Fish Name : Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Max size : 105 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 40637); max. published weight: 50.0 kg (Ref. 30578)
Environment : benthopelagic; potamodromous ; depth range 0 - 20 m
Climate : subtropical; 6 - 28°C; 64°N - 43°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.16-0.29; tm=2-6)Distribution : Asia: China and Eastern Siberia. Introduced around the world for aquaculture and control of algal blooms. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis : 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).
Biology : 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)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : potential pest
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Skelton, P.H.. 1993. (Ref. 7248)

India country information
Common Names : Silver carp, Belli-gende
Status : introduced
Salinity : freshwater
Uses : no uses