Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	ACTINOPTERYGII	CYPRINIFORMES	CYPRINIDAE

Scientific Name:	Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Species Authority:	(Valenciennes, 1844)
Synonym/s:	Leuciscus molitrix Valenciennes, 1844

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Near Threatened ver 3.1
Year Published:	2011
Assessor/s:	Zhao, H.
Reviewer/s:	Allen, D., Cui, K., Zhou, W. & Chen, X.-Y.
Contributor/s:	Kottelat, M.
Justification: In its natural range, the species has been impacted by dams, pollution, and overfishing. Dams have greatly impacted the species reproductive success. The Amur populations are thought not to have yet been impacted (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011), however populations in China have declined greatly as a result of the widespread development of dams. Population declines in the natural population have been significant in the Chinese parts of its range. It is assessed as Near Threatened due the the scale of wild population decline in China, as it is suspected to be close to meeting a threatened category under population decline (category A2). Monitoring of population trends and reproductive success in the wild is needed.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This a widespread species throughout China from Heilongjiang, Yangtze and Pearl River basins. Also recorded in eastern Russia (Amur River) and from Mongolia. Introduced around the world for aquaculture and control of algal blooms. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Countries:	Native: China (Anhui, Fujian, Hainan, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Shanxi); Mongolia; Russian Federation
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The natural population of the species has declined in its native range in China, however it has been widely introduced throughout China and to other countries, including Malaysia.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Feeds on phytoplankton and zooplankton. In its natural range, it migrates upstream to breed; egg and larva float downstream to floodplain zones. An active species well known for its habit of leaping clear of the water when disturbed. Swims just beneath the water surface. Larvae and small juveniles feed on zooplankton; from 15 mm Standard length (SL) only feeds on phytoplankton. Very sensitive to low temperature (below 5°C) and oxygen deficit. Dams have greatly impacted the species reproductive success. The Amur populations are thought not to have yet been impacted (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011), however populations in China have declined greatly as a result of the widespread development of dams.
Systems:	Freshwater

Habitat and Ecology:

Feeds on phytoplankton and zooplankton. In its natural range, it migrates upstream to breed; egg and larva float downstream to floodplain zones. An active species well known for its habit of leaping clear of the water when disturbed. Swims just beneath the water surface. Larvae and small juveniles feed on zooplankton; from 15 mm Standard length (SL) only feeds on phytoplankton. Very sensitive to low temperature (below 5°C) and oxygen deficit.

Dams have greatly impacted the species reproductive success. The Amur populations are thought not to have yet been impacted (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011), however populations in China have declined greatly as a result of the widespread development of dams.

Systems:

Freshwater

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	In its natural range, the species has been impacted by dams, pollution, and overfishing. Dams and pollution destroy the habitat ecology, reproductive success. Dams have greatly impacted the species reproductive success. The Amur populations are thought not to have yet been impacted (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011), however populations in China have declined greatly as a result of the widespread development of dams. Population declines in the natural population have been significant in the Chinese parts of its range.

Major Threat(s):

In its natural range, the species has been impacted by dams, pollution, and overfishing. Dams and pollution destroy the habitat ecology, reproductive success. Dams have greatly impacted the species reproductive success. The Amur populations are thought not to have yet been impacted (M. Kottelat pers. comm. 2011), however populations in China have declined greatly as a result of the widespread development of dams. Population declines in the natural population have been significant in the Chinese parts of its range.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The wild population should be monitored.

Conservation Actions:

The wild population should be monitored.

Citation:	Zhao, H. 2011. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 May 2013.
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