Family CYPRINIDAE

Cyprinidae

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CAAB: 37165000

Family CYPRINIDAE

Cyprinids

Compiler and date details

28 May 2012 - Dianne J. Bray

2006 - Gerald R. Allen, Norbert J. Cross & Douglass F. Hoese

Introduction

The Cyprinidae are a large family of freshwater fishes and include such forms as carp, barbs and goldfish. Nelson (2006) recognised about 220 genera and 2420 species, and Eschmeyer & Fong (2012) recognised 2860 species. The natural distribution of cyprinids includes all major tropical and temperate regions except Australia, New Zealand, Madagascar and South America. However, these fishes have been deliberately introduced to virtually all these places.

In Australia, six introduced species belonging to six genera have been recorded. Cold water cyprinids, confined mainly to southern Australia, include the Goldfish (Carassius), Carp (Cyprinus), Tench (Tinca), Roach (Rutilus) and Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys). The first four species were first introduced via Europe between 1860 and 1880. Species are variously treated in McDowall (1980), Cadwallader & Backhouse (1983), Brumley (1991), Allen et al. (2002) and Lintermans (2007). Unfortunately, the risk is high of further introductions, particularly in Queensland, as a result of aquarium releases of tropical species. Two such introductions, the Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius) and the Mountain Minnow (Tanichthys albonubes) have been successful thus far; breeding populations of Rosy Barb are now present in streams of South Brisbane and in southwestern Western Australia, and the Mountain Minnow is known from streams in New South Wales and Queensland. Allen et al. (2006) reported that although T. albonubes was occasionally found in streams of New South Wales, it had not become established, whereas Ward (2009) reported that the species is now found in the Gosford region of New South Wales. Although Corfield et al. (2008) reported that Puntius tetrazona is established in the wild in Australia, there is no evidence that they have become established. Morgan et al. (2004) discussed the impacts of introduced freshwater fishes in Western Australia.

Cyprinids generally frequent soft bottom areas, often where vegetation is abundant. They feed on a variety of items including algae, insect larvae and other aquatic invertebrates. Species introduced to Australia range in maximum total length from about 4 cm for the Mountain Minnow to approximately 1.2 m for the Carp.