black carp
(Mylopharyngodon piceus)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Mylopharyngodon piceus is native to eastern Asia from China to far eastern Russia and possibly Vietnam.
Life Cycle
Black carp are large, freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family. Their bodies are cylindrical, elongated, and slightly compressed. Adult black carp are black, blue-gray, or dark brown on their back and sides, with grayish-white to cream-colored bellies. Black carp have large scales outlined in black and very dark fins. They have large, smooth teeth in their throat that are used to crush the shells of mollusks.
Adults spawn in flowing waters, and females are capable of releasing hundreds of thousands of eggs when spawning. Fish mature at 4 to 6 years old.
Distribution
The black carp have been introduced to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Africa, Europe, and throughout Asia outside of their natural range. Black carp are not currently found, nor have they ever been reported, in California.
Control Efforts
Black carp are not established in California. If you capture one, please immediately kill it and report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession of any live black carp per C.C.R. Title 14, § 671.
Mylopharyngodon piceus is native to eastern Asia from China to far eastern Russia and possibly Vietnam.
Life Cycle
Black carp are large, freshwater fish belonging to the minnow family. Their bodies are cylindrical, elongated, and slightly compressed. Adult black carp are black, blue-gray, or dark brown on their back and sides, with grayish-white to cream-colored bellies. Black carp have large scales outlined in black and very dark fins. They have large, smooth teeth in their throat that are used to crush the shells of mollusks.
Adults spawn in flowing waters, and females are capable of releasing hundreds of thousands of eggs when spawning. Fish mature at 4 to 6 years old.
Distribution
The black carp have been introduced to Canada, Mexico, Central America, Africa, Europe, and throughout Asia outside of their natural range. Black carp are not currently found, nor have they ever been reported, in California.
Control Efforts
Black carp are not established in California. If you capture one, please immediately kill it and report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California prohibits the importation, transportation, or possession of any live black carp per C.C.R. Title 14, § 671.
Resources
- Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database - U.S. Geological Survey
- Fact Sheet - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alberta Fisheries Act
- 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 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
- Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan 2012
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Subphylum: Vertebrata |
| Class: Actinopterygii |
| Subclass: Neopterygii |
| Order: Cypriniformes |
| Family: Cyprinidae |
| Genus: Mylopharyngodon |
| Mylopharyngodon piceus |
References
Common Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.
Scientific Name Reference: Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database.