Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1844)

[I] — Grass carp

Taxonomy. Original description: Leuciscus idella Valenciennes, 1844: 362 (China; no types known).— Afghanistan synonyms: None.—Revisions: Berg (1949: 597).—Illustration: Berg (1949: 598, fig. 353).

Status in Afghanistan. First record from Afghanistan by Moravec and Amin (1978); confirmed by Coad (1981: 10; 2014: 318).—Afghanistan materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Afghanistan: Kabul River.—General distribution: East Asia: China and Russia; widely introduced elsewhere.—Habitat: This species conducts its spawning and overwintering in middle and lower stretches of large floodplain rivers (below 1,000 m altitude), within lakes, reservoirs, and backwaters during feeding season, preferring warm, clear water and high oxygen concentration. It is tolerant of a wide range of environmental variables. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Commercially important.

Reasons of introduction. Biocontrol: to prevent eutrophication, aquatic plants, and pest control.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).