Origin
The Hypophthalmichthys nobilis or Bighead carp are native to Asia. Bighead carp are large deep-bodied fish with big heads. It has a laterally compressed (relatively flat side to side) body form. The head is longer than the body is high. The mouth slants upwards and the lower jaw extends slightly over the upper jaw. Their scales are very small with from 85-100 scales along the length of the fish with 26-28 rows of scales above the lateral line. Larger fish have a heavy, stiff, non-serrated spine at the origin of the dorsal fin and a slightly stiffened spine at the anal fin origin. The dorsal fin has eight and sometimes 9 soft rays. The anal fin has thirteen and occasionally fourteen soft rays. The gill rakers are long, comb-like, and close-set.

Life Cycle
H. nobilis are asynchronous (all spawn at the same time) and gonochoristic (have separate male and female) species that spawns annually for dozens of years during its life span. H. nobilis is a semi-migratory fish. Reproductive adults migrate from lakes and the lower reaches of rivers to the spawning ground in the upper reaches of the major rivers in its native range. Flowing water and changes in water level are essential for natural spawning. Semi-buoyant eggs are laid that suspend in the water column when there is a current.

Distribution
H. nobilis have been introduced around the world. They have been found in Africa, Australasia-Pacific, North America, and South America. They may be introduced as fish for the food industry.

Control Efforts
Cooperation is recommended between the states where H. nobilis may spread to ensure consistency in regulation and enforcement.

Resources

• Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database - U.S. Geological Survey
• Fact Sheet - Ontarios Invading Species Awareness Program

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alberta Fisheries Act
• Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area
• Florida Conditional and Prohibited Non-Native Species Lists
• Idaho Invasive Species Act
• Maryland Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan
• Maryland Invasive Species Council - Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
• Michigan’s Invasive Species Watch List
• Michigan’s Prohibited and Restricted Species
• Mid-Atlantic Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
• Minnesota DNR invasive species list
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
• New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Ontario’s Invading Species Awareness Program Tracked Species List
• Pennsylvania's Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species
• West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Volunteer Guidelines 2014
• Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40

References