Description of silver carp - where it is found and what it eats, breeding in a pond

White or common silver carp is a fish of the carp family. It is known by other names as silver carp, bighead and silver carp. It is found in fresh water bodies of Europe and Asia. This large fish is of great importance as an object of commercial fishing and fishing; it is also popular among fishing enthusiasts. Let's take a closer look at the silver carp's lifestyle, its types and other interesting features.

Description of the fish

This is a schooling fish of the carp family. It is known for its strength, speed and agility, making it an exciting target for keen fishermen.

When introduced into artificial aquaculture ponds, silver carp help ensure clean water and no algal blooms.

What does it look like

The silver carp has a large skull with an extended forehead, which is how it got its name. It has a thin, pointed dorsal fin and a large anal fin. The bighead is distinguished by its size and pronounced physical characteristics:

• eyes sitting low on the head;
• lack of mustache;
• a mouth that appears "upside down".

Silver carp is the only fish whose mouth is located above the eyes.

The shade of the scales sometimes differs between species, but usually the color is silver, darker near the back and lighter around the belly. As fish age, their color changes; in older individuals, as a rule, the back acquires a greenish tint.

The fish has a large mouth without teeth with massive lips. This structure was developed during evolution, because silver carp feeds exclusively on phytoplankton.

Bigheads reach impressive sizes - one meter in length and weighing up to thirty kilograms, and some individuals can grow even up to one and a half meters and weighing fifty kilograms. This makes catching such a huge specimen a rewarding experience for any angler.

Silver carp have a fast growth rate. In an ideal environment with plenty of food, he rapidly gains weight.Consequently, under favorable circumstances, young individuals reach one and a half kilograms of weight by two years; at five to six years these fish reach their maximum weight and length, after which growth stops.

At three years old, silver carp usually grow to thirty to sixty centimeters in length and weigh two to four kilograms.

Where is it found?

The bighead is a freshwater fish native to Northern and Northeast Asia. It was brought to Europe for the purpose of artificial breeding.

This fish is attracted to calm bodies of water with standing water. During daylight hours, it usually stays at a shallower depth, where loud sounds from the surface are not heard. At night she returns to the shoreline in search of food.

The maximum preferred water temperature for silver carp is between 20-25°C, so the fish tend to stay in the middle layers of the water rather than swim closer to the bottom, where the temperature is colder. At night, silver carp usually gather in shallow areas where the water has warmed up during the day. Silver carp also prefer habitats with soft muddy bottoms and high vegetation cover. Experienced fishermen successfully use this knowledge to identify likely fishing spots in advance.

Lifestyle

The key point to know is that silver carp are not solitary creatures. Rather, they tend to gather in small flocks. Their groups usually consist of fish of different ages and sizes.

When going fishing, it is recommended to look for silver carp in calm bodies of water that are not located near major roads or places with loud city sounds - bigheads are not found in “noisy” waters.

The roughyhead can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, from 0 to 40 degrees Celsius, as well as low oxygen levels and slightly salty water.

Fish behavior changes depending on the season:

1. In autumn, when the water temperature drops below eight degrees, the silver carp gains a layer of fat.
2. In winter, it hibernates and looks for places for it at the bottom of reservoirs.
3. In the spring, after waking up with an abundance of plankton in the water, it looks for food in deep waters, and then, when the temperature reaches twenty-four degrees, it rises higher to the surface. During this period, the fish is easy to catch due to its strong hunger, as it will rush at everything that even remotely resembles food. By the end of May, fishermen are catching silver carp with just a piece of cigarette filter or foam rubber.

Under optimal conditions, the fish can live for two decades. However, with commercial breeding this is not profitable from a financial point of view, so the fish are sent to store shelves at the age of two to three years, when their size becomes sufficient.

The two most common diseases among silver carp found in their natural habitat are pseudomonosis and diphyllobothriasis.

The first disease causes local bleeding on the skin and quickly spreads throughout the population, leading to the death of entire groups of fish. The second is a parasitic disease that occurs due to the infection of fish by a broad tapeworm. Eating undercooked or raw contaminated fish poses a risk to human health.

Spawning

Silver carp reach sexual maturity and are ready to breed between the ages of two and four years. At this point, the fish have grown enough to easily reach the spawning area.

Silver carp spawning begins when water temperatures rise to suitable levels in early summer. If cooler days arrive, spawning will be delayed two to four weeks. These fish prefer rivers with muddy water for breeding. To find a suitable place, they begin to migrate. During this time, they sometimes move considerable distances from their usual habitat.

Fish that are in the process of spawning can be easily identified by their color. During this period, the scales look bluish-gray.

Silver carp choose shallow, grassy, ​​sunlit reservoirs for spawning; it is in such places that the offspring are best preserved. The eggs do not attach to any vegetation, but instead float on the surface of the pond. As a result of the fact that they are practically invisible among vegetation, they are protected from being eaten by birds and other fish.

One female produces up to half a million eggs, and after a week, fry emerge from them. In the early days they consume zooplankton as their mouths are not yet fully developed. After four days they become able to digest plant food, but still prefer animal proteins for some time.

Natural enemies

Silver carp is a fish of impressive size, and it behaves extremely warily, however, it has many enemies in its natural habitat.The most common of them is pike, which loves to feast on silver carp of any age.

The fry are in danger from birds and large perches, for which they are a favorite delicacy.

Silver carp, having become an adult, can itself lead to disruption of the ecosystem of the reservoir. This happens because, due to its insatiable appetite, silver carp consumes all types of plankton, leaving no food for other fish.

However, it is people who bear the main responsibility for the decline in the numbers of this fish. This is due to its overfishing on an industrial scale.

Types of fish

There are three species of silver carp, each with its own physical characteristics, feeding habits and size. In addition, there are large differences in growth rate and weight.

White

The white roughy is easily distinguished by its shorter length and pale scales, almost reminiscent of silver in color. This river species has a large body with a voluminous head. Its main diet consists of phytoplankton, since the structure of its gills does not allow it to consume zooplankton. Due to the lack of animal protein in the diet, this species is smaller than the mottled variety. Its length reaches 100 cm, and its maximum weight is no more than twenty kilograms.

The white variety of silver carp is especially advantageous for artificial propagation due to the composition of its meat. Fillet contains a high amount of fat, making it an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

Motley

The bighead silver carp, also known as the southern roughy, is a significant size and weight fish. Its gill plates are designed in such a way that it is able to feed on zooplankton, allowing it to grow to impressive sizes.

This silver carp has a large head and an elongated tail.The scales of the fish are predominantly dark, almost black in the upper part of the body. On the sides it is lighter, but interspersed with dark spots, which determined the name of the species. Juveniles, as a rule, are pale in color, more like golden.

The mottled roughyhead can withstand a wide range of temperatures, from 0° to 36°C. It reaches 100-150 cm and weighs up to sixty kilograms. Due to its ability to improve water quality, this species has become a popular and economically important choice for fish culture in artificial ponds.

Hybrid

This subspecies of bighead is a hybrid created by crossing white and bighead varieties of silver carp. He inherited the best features of both species, including:

• the ability to quickly gain weight;
• withstand temperature changes;
• consume phytoplankton;
• endure cold temperatures while remaining active and preserving nutritious and tasty meat.

Its characteristics make it possible to breed this type of silver carp for agricultural purposes in areas of the cold climate zone.

Similar fish

The bighead has many characteristics similar to other cyprinid fish, the main one being its large body. However, there are clear differences between them, both in appearance and in the taste and composition of the meat. It is especially important to take them into account when planning fish breeding in artificial reservoirs.

Amur

The main difference between these two fish species is their ventral keel. The carp has a long keel, starting at the throat, while the silver carp has a keel that extends from the pectoral fins. Cupid is easily recognized by its elongated body and large scales, as well as its larger overall size.

Cupid feeds only on vegetation that grows at the bottom of the reservoir.Its flesh is considered juicier and more tender than that of silver carp, and it also has fewer bones. Both species have similar habits when it comes to spawning and living principles.

Carp

The physical structure of carp and silver carp is somewhat different. Characteristics of carp:

• the head is not as large as that of the silver carp;
• spindle-shaped body;
• large scales, while they are all the same color.

The shape of the carp's mouth is adaptive and its mouth can be expanded, making these fish omnivores. The meat of this species is tender and has a pleasant taste.

How to breed silver carp

Silver carp is a finicky fish that requires special conditions for breeding. Temperature is especially critical for him. Silver carp loves warmth, so the temperature in the pond should be at least 25°C. This should be taken into account when breeding in Russia. Bighead fish also have requirements for the depth of the reservoir. A depth of three to four meters is suitable for it.

It is important to follow certain guidelines when breeding in an artificial pond in order to achieve the desired results. It is important to meet the fish's needs for space and oxygen. The pond must have an area of ​​at least two hundred square meters, even if it contains a small number of fish, and there must be no more than nine hundred fish per hectare.

To prevent widespread diseases, it is recommended to divide the pond inhabitants into age groups. A pond should have a variety of plants to provide a good source of food; and certain areas are allocated for spawning. The water temperature in the pond should not fall below eighteen degrees.

It is important to regularly clean and disinfect ponds to prevent fish diseases.Keeping fish in a pond for more than two to three years should be avoided, as it will not be possible to recoup the costs this way.

Obviously, there are a lot of subtleties associated with keeping and breeding silver carp in a pond, but it is important to follow the basic principles.

The main dish in the diet of silver carp is considered to be phytoplankton, which leads to water blooms. To prevent the fish from starving, the artificial pond must have an abundance of bottom and tall vegetation. When introducing fish into a pond for the first time, provide them with food until they become accustomed to the conditions. After maturation and under favorable conditions in the pond, such as optimal temperature and the presence of vegetation, the bighead does not need feeding.

The main costs associated with fish farming include the construction and maintenance of a pond, the purchase of food and the introduction of young fish into it. In addition, it is worth considering transportation costs, money for advertising and security. Also don't forget about taxes; their calculation depends on a lot of factors, for example, the type of business registration.

Due to the rapid growth and absence of disease, fish farming remains a profitable business. This is especially true when breeding bighead or hybrid carp, since these individuals have a fast growth rate and are easy to sell on the market.

How to fish

Silver carp is not a sea fish; this must be taken into account when planning your fishing trip. Fishing for bighead in its natural habitat is permitted from May to the end of September.With the exception of the spawning period, during which fishing is prohibited by law.

Fishing for silver carp is difficult due to its behavior. The best time to try your luck is when the water temperature rises to 18-20°C, since it is at this time that the fish swim in the middle layers of the water column. If it gets too hot, they tend to go deeper. Therefore, if you decide to go fishing on a sunny day without wind, it is best to start at sunrise.

Selecting a location

The most ideal places for fishing are small reservoirs with varied bottom topography, where shallow water alternates with deep areas. The long-established reservoirs are also good for fishing.

Expert fishermen talk about the tendency of silver carp to choose the same path when they are in their “home” reservoir. They advise you to recognize and take note of these “paths” by setting up your fishing gear along them.

Catching silver carp in the river is a hopeless endeavor because the fish there are constantly on the move.

Timing

Fishing conditions vary depending on the season. During the warmer months, it's best to fish early in the morning or later in the day when temperatures drop slightly. The most successful fishing occurs when there is no wind or clouds, as the fish are sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure. In the cold season, silver carp can be found immediately after the ice melts or during thaws and after ice drift in the spring.

Given the weight of the fish, durable fishing gear is required. It is recommended to use carp rods. In addition, it is wise to choose a thick fishing line with a diameter of at least 0.3-0.4 mm.

It is important to remember that the law prohibits fishing during periods when silver carp are breeding.

What bait to use

Experienced anglers often use different types of bait. Canned corn or fresh peas are especially preferred because they are both heavy and dense, allowing them to stay attached to the hook. Additionally, their bright hue makes them visible in murky waters. Barley porridge, dough and large bread crumbs are also usually effective.

The key to success when fishing with bait is creating a “spray” effect that imitates plankton and thereby attracts fish. To achieve this, bait is made from a combination of flour, semolina, milk powder and other ingredients, which when wet turn into a kind of dust cloud in water. Condensed milk also helps create the desired "cloudiness" that is attractive to fish.

Fishing for technoplankton

Technoplankton is a type of bait that, when submerged in water, dissolves into tiny particles and forms a cloud-like structure. Due to its resemblance to plankton accumulations, silver carp bite very well on it. As a rule, technoplankton is made in the form of a small barrel with a hole running through its entire length. This type of bait is ideal for long casts.

When fishing with this technique, a specific tool is used - a bighead stick. It is needed so that the bait remains in one place. The sinkers are adjusted so that the bait remains at least thirty centimeters under water.

Instead of technoplankton, anglers can choose spring feeders that contain a special mixture. The same gear is suitable for their use as when using technoplankton.

Using bottom gear

Bottom tackle (donka) is a type of spring feeder that contains a special food mixture. She sinks to the bottom. Two or three hooks are attached to it, on which foam balls are placed. The idea is that when the fish consumes the food particles, it also swallows the pellets and gets hooked.

The disadvantage of this technique is that when making food at home, it is easy to make a mistake in the recipe, and the bait will not disperse in a cloud. To be on the safe side, an effervescent tablet is placed in the feeder. By reacting with water, it will help disperse food particles into the water.

However, the main disadvantage of this species is that it is almost impossible to catch large fish, because they, as a rule, remain in the upper layers of the reservoir and do not tend to sink to the bottom.

Tackle “Silver Carp Killer” – what is it?

The advantage of using this tackle is that you can catch several fish at the same time. In addition, the ability to self-hook does not allow the silver carp to slip off the hook. In addition, all hooks are hidden in technoplankton, which makes them invisible to fish. It is noteworthy that the technoplankton for this tackle is specially designed to make it especially attractive to fish.

The float of this fishing tackle is also of great importance. It has a semi-circular shape with a hole in the center to provide stability.

About meat

Silver carp meat is a high-calorie product with significant nutritional value. It is rich in proteins, contains B vitamins, vitamins A, D and E, as well as trace elements such as iron, phosphorus and iodine.

100 grams of cooked silver carp meat contains about 20 grams of protein and 90 calories.In addition, bighead meat is low in fat and cholesterol, which makes it even healthier. The high calorie content of meat is accompanied by a high protein content, which is comparable in digestibility to poultry protein.

However, like all fish products, silver carp sometimes contains mercury, so when eating it you should monitor the amount of fish you consume.

100 grams of silver carp fillet contain the following beneficial substances:

1. Proteins: 20 g.
2. Fat: 1.2 g.
3. Carbohydrates: 0 g.
4. Calories: 90 kcal.

Also, 100 grams of fillet contains a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, including:

1. Vitamin B12: 3.5 mcg.
2. Vitamin B6: 0.2 mg.
3. Vitamin E: 0.8 mg.
4. Vitamin D: 11 mcg.
5. Iron: 0.9 mg.
6. Phosphorus: 275 mg.
7. Potassium: 360 mg.
8. Magnesium: 43 mg.
9. Sodium: 50 mg.

The meat is tender, juicy and has a subtle sweetish taste. The taste of the fish remains unchanged even after freezing, but there is one significant drawback - its bony structure. Meat contains a lot of small bones, which are quite capable of becoming a hindrance when consuming it.

Silver carp is characterized by the same thing as almost all freshwater fish - a lot of bones. To prevent this from becoming a problem, choose large fish, weighing at least three kilograms. Although, there will still be a lot of bones in it, but at least they will be large and can be easily removed.

Silver carp is recommended to be included in the diet of older people, people suffering from diabetes, gout and gastritis. To preserve the beneficial properties of fish, it is optimal to cook it by boiling or stewing.

Interesting Facts

What is remarkable about silver carp:

1. For spawning, as a rule, they prefer the muddy waters of large rivers.
2. Although they almost never migrate long distances, there have been cases where individuals have swam far from their usual habitats.
3. Fishermen have the opinion that fish sometimes jump out of the water due to loud noise, for example, from a motor boat.