silver carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Exotic carp introduced to Brazil and other Latin American countries, used in aquaculture and to control algae. It is considered a potential pest.
Also called: carpa-prateada, carpa plateada, silver carp
- maximum
- 120 cm
- record/max.
- 50.0 kg
- depth
- 0–20 m
who is the silver carp
Fish of the family Xenocyprididae, the carps, with a spindle-shaped body. It reaches 120 cm and can weigh up to 50 kg. It is native to Asia, to the rivers of eastern China, from the Amur to the Xi Jiang. It was introduced to Brazil and other Latin American countries for aquaculture and algae control. It escapes from fish farms and is found in large rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Adults eat phytoplankton, and juveniles eat zooplankton. In aquaculture it is produced on a large scale and its flesh is eaten fresh. It has commercial use in fishing and aquaculture.
Essential profile. Identification, where it occurs and rules, with data from FishBase and the cited regulations. Season, time of day, technique and bait are added once we have a good source for the silver carp; in the meantime, see the similar species.
fun facts
- It was also introduced to clear algae from reservoirs, a role often valued more than its worth as food.
- During the spawning season it swims up rivers on long migrations and can jump obstacles up to 1 m high.
identification
Spindle-shaped carp, with a grey-green back and a paler belly, without barbels. It has a sharp keel with no scales running from the chest to the base of the anal fin. The bighead carp, with which it is confused, has a shorter keel and a less uniform color, which is the main difference between the two.
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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Essential profile: the index uses a general fish model (weather, sun, moon and tide), without a season or time of day specific to this species.
where found
Native to Asia, it was introduced to several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and Peru. In Brazil it is exotic and has already been recorded in natural environments of the Paraná and São Francisco basins and of the Patos and Mirim lagoons.
Habitat: Large rivers, lakes and reservoirs of fresh water, near the surface and down to 20 m deep.
introduced in
rules for the silver carp
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the Brazilian national list (Ministerial Ordinance GM/MMA No. 1.667/2026).
We found no species-specific rule beyond the region's general rules.
catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.
It has no teeth or venom, but it is an exotic species and is considered a potential pest. Do not release the live fish into other waters, so as not to spread the species.
in the kitchen
It is eaten fresh, and the species is widely farmed in aquaculture.
how much it weighs without taking it out of the water
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.00891, b = 3.1; FishBase (relação peso-comprimento bayesiana, estimativa da própria espécie)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
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sources and references
Essential profile: size, length-weight, depth, countries and conservation come from FishBase and the cited regulations, and the texts were written from those sources. Season, time of day, sensitivities, technique and baits and lures are not included yet, because we did not find a good source for this species.
- scientific FishBase: Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (ficha da espécie)Size, length-weight, depth, habitat, distribution, biology, and IUCN status. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
- scientific FishBase: nomes populares de Hypophthalmichthys molitrixNames by country and language.
- official Portaria GM/MMA nº 1.667, de 27 de abril de 2026: Lista Nacional Oficial de Espécies da Fauna Ameaçadas de Extinção (peixes e invertebrados aquáticos)The species is not on the list. Checked in the DOU of April 28, 2026.
