Biology and Ecology:
The introduction of non-native species may pose significant dangers to the local ecosystems and the Asian carp is one of them. Asian carp is the common term for the species of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) (Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2012). In the United States, the Bighead Carp have greatly affected the river ecosystems that it is also likely to invade the Great Lakes (Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2012). Therefore, the Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) will be the focus of this management plan.
The Bighead Carp belongs to the family Cyprinidae, which contains …show more content…
It can live in extreme air temperature in the coolest and warmest months in China (Jennings 1988). In addition to the preferences of warm and still water, it can tolerate up to 6% of salinity (Cooke & Hill 2010; Kolar et al. 2005). Also, it can spawn as low as 18。C and reach up to 30。C (Carlson & Vondracek 2014). These have allowed it to survive in various environments. In addition, the monsoon rain plays an important role in spawning because it aids in triggering the occurrence of spawning (Jennings 1988). Moreover, there is a requirement of minimum water velocity of 0.8m/sec in order for the eggs to survive before hatching (Tucker et al. 1996; Jennings 1988). Furthermore, the male Bighead Carp normally undergoes sexual maturation one year less than the female (Nico, Fuller & Li 2015). This short sexual maturation has made it become more prolific than the native fishes. There is also a positive relationship between the fecundity and growth rate of the Bighead Carp (Kolar et al. 2005). It is reported that the normal female Bighead Carp can produce at least 478,000 eggs (Jennings 1988). The fecundity also increases with age and body weight but there is a potential that it will decline once the female Bighead Carp has reached its peak (Carlson & Vondracek 2014; Jennings 1988). According to Jhingran & Pullin (1988), 126 eggs are produced with an increase of one gram in body
The introduction of non-native species may pose significant dangers to the local ecosystems and the Asian carp is one of them. Asian carp is the common term for the species of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) (Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2012). In the United States, the Bighead Carp have greatly affected the river ecosystems that it is also likely to invade the Great Lakes (Michigan Department of Natural Resources 2012). Therefore, the Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) will be the focus of this management plan.
The Bighead Carp belongs to the family Cyprinidae, which contains …show more content…
It can live in extreme air temperature in the coolest and warmest months in China (Jennings 1988). In addition to the preferences of warm and still water, it can tolerate up to 6% of salinity (Cooke & Hill 2010; Kolar et al. 2005). Also, it can spawn as low as 18。C and reach up to 30。C (Carlson & Vondracek 2014). These have allowed it to survive in various environments. In addition, the monsoon rain plays an important role in spawning because it aids in triggering the occurrence of spawning (Jennings 1988). Moreover, there is a requirement of minimum water velocity of 0.8m/sec in order for the eggs to survive before hatching (Tucker et al. 1996; Jennings 1988). Furthermore, the male Bighead Carp normally undergoes sexual maturation one year less than the female (Nico, Fuller & Li 2015). This short sexual maturation has made it become more prolific than the native fishes. There is also a positive relationship between the fecundity and growth rate of the Bighead Carp (Kolar et al. 2005). It is reported that the normal female Bighead Carp can produce at least 478,000 eggs (Jennings 1988). The fecundity also increases with age and body weight but there is a potential that it will decline once the female Bighead Carp has reached its peak (Carlson & Vondracek 2014; Jennings 1988). According to Jhingran & Pullin (1988), 126 eggs are produced with an increase of one gram in body