We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Aquatic

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Bighead Carp?

Deanna Baranyi
By
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 7,243
Share

Bighead carp, also known by its scientific name Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, is a large freshwater fish that is native to China. It is also commonly known by its Thai name, Tongsan, and other common names, such as noble fish, lake fish, or speckled amur. There have been some limits placed on introducing this fish into waterways and selling the fish in certain areas, such as Canada and the United States, because it competes against native species for food.

Bighead carp has a large head that is free from scales. It also has a large, toothless mouth with a protruding lower jaw. The eyes of the fish are low on its head and project downward. Generally, these fish are silver or gray in color, sometimes with black mottling. In addition, these fish can grow quite large. There have been reports of fish that reach nearly 100 pounds (45.4 kg), although most only grow to about 40 pounds (18.1 kg).

Although bighead carp generally prefer to eat zooplankton, they will eat other food sources if zooplankton is not available. They are filter feeders, meaning they are capable of filtering water through their gills. Using this filtering process, they only eat the food that is tiny enough to fit through their feeding filter, such as phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Interestingly, bighead carp was not introduced to the United States until the 1970s, when it was brought to Arkansas from China. The purpose of the introduction was to manage the growth of algae in freshwater ponds in the area. Unfortunately, this species of carp was unable to be contained.

Within less than ten years time, after its introduction to the United States, there were records indicating that these fish could be found in major rivers around the country. During the 1990s, when flooding was more severe, many more bighead carp managed to escape from their algae-filled ponds. The result was that they headed into the Mississippi River basin and quickly spread into many large rivers, such as the Mississippi and the Missouri. When these fish are in the same bodies of water as native species, the native species usually do not survive. This species of carp tends to consume large quantities of food, forcing other fish to perish.

Some areas have strict laws prohibiting big head carp from being introduced to local waters. In addition, some states in the United States and certain provinces in Canada forbid the sale of any bighead carp that is alive. Researchers are fearful that the fish will make its way to additional bodies of water, such as the Great Lakes, and compete with the native fish there.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Deanna Baranyi
By Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi, a freelance writer and editor with a passion for the written word, brings a diverse skill set to her work. With degrees in relevant fields and a keen ability to understand and connect with target audiences, she crafts compelling copy, articles, and content that inform and engage readers.
Discussion Comments
Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi, a freelance writer and editor with a passion for the written word, brings a diverse skill set to her...
Learn more
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-bighead-carp.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.