Bighead carp
D-Marmorkarpfen; GB-Bighead carp; DK-Marmorkarpe; PL-Tołpyga pstra; LT-Margasis plačiakaktis; LV-Raibais platpieris; EST-Jämepea; RU-Пёстрый толстолобик; FIN-Marmoripaksuotsa; S-Пёстрый толстолобик
Characters
1) Eye situated very low (in the lower half of body).
2) Keeled abdomen from pelvic to anal fins.
●) Head big, body moderately high.
●) Scales very small (110 to 124 in lateral line).
●) Often uniformely silvern with irregular shaped dark spotches.
Often about 60 cm, max. up to 150 cm length and 40 kg weigth.
Similar species
Silver carp - belly keeled from head to anal fin; uniform silvery body colouration; 10 dorsal fin rays (vs. 13 in bighead carp).
Biology
Not native in Europe, no natural reproduction possible. Adults also are able to cope with brackish water.Diet
They feed on zooplankton like larvae and small crustaceans, as well as on snails and occasionally plants.Importance
Introduced to control algal bloom in fish farming, but only with little success, because feeds mainly on zooplankton.Endangerment
Not endangered in the Baltic Sea, because the species is not native.Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
