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Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Photo: Mazedul Islam · iNaturalist (CC) · source ↗

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is an exotic surface-feeding filter-feeder carp introduced into Indian aquaculture from China via Hungary in 1959. It occupies the phytoplankton-feeding niche in six-species composite culture and is one of the most cultured aquaculture species in the world by tonnage.

Key characteristics

  • Family: Cyprinidae
  • Body: deep-bodied with a flattened head, downturned mouth and very long, fine gill rakers fused into a sponge-like filter
  • Feeding niche: surface phytoplankton filter-feeder. Filters phytoplankton (4-100 micron) directly from water; minimal use of supplementary feed
  • Growth: rapid in plankton-rich ponds; 800 g-1.2 kg in 10-12 months
  • Maximum size: up to 1 m and 25 kg

Cultivation

In six-species composite culture (Composite Fish Culture Six Species) silver carp is stocked at 10-15% of total seed to use the surface phytoplankton niche unfilled by catla (which is a zooplankton feeder). Stocking density across the system is 5,000-10,000 fingerlings/ha. Silver carp does not breed in confined ponds — hatchery seed is produced by hormone-induced spawning with carp pituitary or synthetic GnRH analogues (Ovaprim, Ovatide). The species requires no supplementary feed if pond phytoplankton density is maintained via cow-dung manuring (5,000-10,000 kg/ha) and inorganic fertilisation. Ponds follow standard earthen engineering (Fish Pond Construction).

Compatibility with catla

Silver carp shares part of catla's surface niche and can suppress catla growth in poorly managed ponds. ICAR-CIFA's revised stocking ratios reduce silver carp share when catla is the priority market species. In hatchery-only operations, large silver carp brood-stock are kept separately to avoid hybridisation with bighead carp (Bighead Carp Aristichthys Nobilis).

Pests and diseases

Susceptible to argulosis (Carp Disease Argulus Anchor Worm), Aeromonas dropsy (Carp Disease Dropsy Aeromonas), gill rot and ichthyophthiriasis. Hatchery seed quality and lime + organic-fertiliser management are the main controls.

Adoption and use

Silver carp is widely cultured across Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh as part of six-species polyculture. Globally it is one of the highest-tonnage farmed fish species. The fish has many fine intermuscular bones, which limits whole-fish urban demand in India and pushes it into mince/value-added forms or peri-urban markets. Stocking and pond development are supported under PMMSY.

Limitations

Silver carp can become invasive in open water bodies — release into rivers and reservoirs is discouraged. Its bony flesh limits price compared with rohu and catla; producers manage the ratio accordingly.

See also: Composite Fish Culture Six Species, Carp Polyculture Pond, Catla Catla Indian Major Carp, Bighead Carp Aristichthys Nobilis, Grass Carp, Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio.

Sources

  1. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. FAO Cultured Aquatic Species fact sheet.
  2. Silver carp in Indian polyculture. ICAR-CIFA Bhubaneswar.
  3. Composite Fish Culture. Vikaspedia.