A Complete Guide to the Fisheries Science of Bighead Carp
Fisheries Science Spotlight: Bighead Carp
English name: Bighead carp
Local names: Hualian, Pangtouyu
Taxonomic status: Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Aristichthys
Morphological characteristics: Body laterally compressed, ventral keel incomplete. Head large, its length about 1/3 of body length. Pectoral fins long, their tips extending far beyond the base of the pelvic fins. Dorsal fin iii-7; anal fin iii-12~13; lateral line scales 96~110. Back and upper sides dark, with irregular small black spots; lower sides and belly grayish white.
Ecological habits: A filter-feeding fish inhabiting the middle and upper layers of water bodies. Gentle in temperament, fast-growing, and easy to catch.
Geographical distribution: Native to the Yangtze River system. Introduced to Ningxia in the 1950s.
Economic value: One of the leading aquaculture species in Ningxia.
Local names: Hualian, Pangtouyu
Taxonomic status: Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Aristichthys
Morphological characteristics: Body laterally compressed, ventral keel incomplete. Head large, its length about 1/3 of body length. Pectoral fins long, their tips extending far beyond the base of the pelvic fins. Dorsal fin iii-7; anal fin iii-12~13; lateral line scales 96~110. Back and upper sides dark, with irregular small black spots; lower sides and belly grayish white.
Ecological habits: A filter-feeding fish inhabiting the middle and upper layers of water bodies. Gentle in temperament, fast-growing, and easy to catch.
Geographical distribution: Native to the Yangtze River system. Introduced to Ningxia in the 1950s.
Economic value: One of the leading aquaculture species in Ningxia.