Bighead Carp
name: Bighead Carp
other names: Pla Tjin or Pla Song Hu
Bighead carp are deep-bodied, laterally compressed fish with big heads. Their scales are very small. There are approximately 85-100 scales in the lateral line, and 26-28 scale rows above the lateral line. The fins of small specimens lack spines. Large specimens have a heavy, stiff, non-serrate spine at the origin of the dorsal fin and a slightly stiffened spine at the anal fin origin. The dorsal fin has eight (rarely nine) soft rays, the anal fin has thirteen (rarely fourteen) soft rays. The largest example of this fish in Kansas was 32lbs. They however may attain a weight exceeding 80 lbs.
The Bigheaded Carp lives in large rivers and lakes in its native China. Although it may inhabit lakes and ponds, it must spawn in flowing water.
Mainly zooplankton but some phytoplankton, these fish will also scavenge on any dead meat they can find. These fish have also been observed eating large quantities of weed supposable to again all small invertebrates that inhabit it,
Bighead Carp spawn in flowing water with a heavy mixing of current, such as lake outlets, behind sandbars, stone beds or islands. It is believed that spawning is initiated by heavy rains. The eggs are released in heavy current and a given no parental care. These fish grow slowly to start with but once over 2 years old they grow at fantastic rates.
Bottom fishing with weed, bread, dough, potatoes, molluscs or earthworm.
