Silver carp

For the novel, see SilverFin.

Silver carp
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Xenocyprinae
Genus: Hypophthalmichthys
Species:
H. molitrix
Binomial name
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
(Valenciennes, 1844)
Synonyms
  • Leuciscus molitrix Valenciennes, 1844
  • Leuciscus hypophthalmus Richardson, 1845
  • Cephalus mantschuricus Basilewsky, 1855
  • Onychodon mantschuricus (Basilewsky, 1855)
  • Abramocephalus microlepis Steindachner, 1869
  • Hypophthalmichthys dabryi Guichenot, 1871
  • Hypophthalmichthys dybowskii Herzenstein, 1888
Silver carp caught in Michigan
Juvenile silver carp

The silver carp or silverfin (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is a species of freshwater cyprinid fish, a variety of Asian carp native to China and eastern Siberia, from the Amur River drainage in the north to the Xi Jiang River drainage in the south.[2] Although a threatened species in its natural habitat, it has long been cultivated in China as one of the "Four Famous Domestic Fish" (四大家鱼) together with Bighead carp, Black carp and Grass carp.[3] By weight, more silver carp are produced worldwide in aquaculture than any other species of fish except for the grass carp. Silver carp are usually farmed in polyculture with other Asian carp, or sometimes with catla or other fish species.

The species has also been introduced, or spread by connected waterways, to at least 88 countries around the world. The reason for importation was generally for use in aquaculture, but enhancement of wild fisheries and water quality control have also been intended on occasion.[4] In some of these places, the species is considered invasive.[5][6][7]

The silver carp reaches a typical length of 60–100 cm (24–39 in) with a maximum length of 140 cm (55 in)[8] and weight of 50 kg (110 lb).[2]

  1. ^ Zhao, H.H. (2011). "Hypophthalmichthys molitrix". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T166081A6168056. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T166081A6168056.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hypophthalmichthys molitrix". FishBase.
  3. ^ Lu, Guoqing; Wang, Chenghui; Zhao, Jinliang; Liao, Xiaolin; Wang, Jun; Luo, Mingkun; Zhu, Lifeng; Bernatzhez, Louis; Li, Sifa (July 2020). "Evolution and genetics of bighead and silver carps: Native population conservation versus invasive species control". Evolutionary Applications. 13 (6): 1351–1362. doi:10.1111/eva.12982. ISSN 1752-4571. PMC 7359835. PMID 32684963.
  4. ^ Kolar, C. S.; Chapman, D. C.; Courtenay Jr, W. R.; Housel, C. M.; Williams, J. D.; Jennings, D. P. (2005). "Asian carps of the genus Hypophthalmichthys (Pisces, Cyprinidae)―a biological synopsis and environmental risk assessment". National Invasive Species Council. Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference factsheet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Conover, G.; Simmonds, R.; Whalen, M. (2007). "Management and control plan for bighead, black, grass, and silver carps in the United States" (PDF). Washington, DC: Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, Asian Carp Working Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-02-13.
  7. ^ Irons, K. S.; Sass, G. G.; McClelland, M. A.; Stafford, J. D. (2007). "Reduced condition factor of two native fish species coincident with invasion of non-native Asian carps in the Illinois River, USA Is this evidence for competition and reduced fitness?". Journal of Fish Biology. 71 (sd): 258–273. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01670.x. S2CID 86780557.
  8. ^ Maccracken, J. (2016). Bureau County Illinois Fishing & Floating Guide Book.