Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) fish species and information / pictures of Black carp - Mylopharyngodon piceus

Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mylopharyngodon piceus

Common Name
Black carp

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 (Ref. 59043). Maximum age probably exceeds 15 years; the figure of 20 years is not supported by data (Ref. 55930).

Classification

Classified By

Richardson, 1846

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Amur river basin to southern China (Ref. 55930). Reported from Vietnam (Ref. 44416). Persists only in Europe by stocking or accidental releases (Ref. 59043). Several countries reported adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

53°N - 15°N, 100°E - 140°E

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

40 °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; ; pH range: 7.5 - 8.5 demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 5 - 30 m (Ref. 6898)

Trophic Level

3.19 s.e. 0.44 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

122 cm

Common Length

12.2 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (77 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.08-0.09; tm=3-9; tmax >13; Fec=1,000,000)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest (Ref. 74657)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated