A genetic study of the growth performance of silver carp from the Changjiang and Zhujiang Rivers

Abstract From 1982 to 1984, experiments were conducted, using a randomized block design, on the growth rate of wild and hatchery populations of silver carp from the Changjiang and Zhujiang Rivers in typical integrated fish culture ponds at Shanghai and Guangdong. Repeated experiments in both southern and eastern China produced identical results: there were significant differences in the length and weight gain of these populations. Both wild and hatchery populations of silver carp of the Changjiang River gained about 10% more body weight than those of the Zhujiang River. Wild silver carp gained 3–5% more than hatchery stocks from both sources. Therefore, wild silver carp from the Changjiang River grew about 15% more rapidly than hatchery silver carp from the Zhujiang River. Data analysis showed that the significant differences in weight gain among these four populations of silver carp could be attributed to a strong genetic component.