What are the differences between bighead carp and silver carp

Bighead carp and silver carp are two kinds of fish that are deeply loved by people in daily life. However, because they have some similarities in appearance, many people cannot distinguish them well. In fact, there are many differences between these two types of fish in terms of shape, back color, pectoral fins, and belly. Moreover, bighead carp tastes better and is more nutritious than silver carp. People can choose according to their own needs.

1. Bighead carp

Bighead carp, also known as silver carp, fathead fish, Baotou fish, bighead fish, black carp, and bighead carp, is a kind of freshwater fish with the elegant name of "water scavenger". It is one of the four major carps in China. It looks like silver carp, with a laterally flattened body, a large and wide head, a very wide and slightly upturned mouth, and relatively low eyes. Bighead carp grows in freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and ponds, mostly distributed in the middle and upper layers of the water. It is a fish unique to China and has a wide distribution in China.

2. Silver Carp

Silver carp, also known as white carp, water carp, jumping carp, and silver carp, belongs to the order Cypriniformes and is one of the four famous carps. It has a laterally flattened, slightly tall, spindle-shaped body, a blue-gray back, white sides and abdomen, a large head, low-positioned eyes, small scales, and a horny ridge in the middle of the abdomen extending from the bottom of the pectoral fin to the anus. The pectoral fins do not exceed the base of the pelvic fins. The fins are grayish white, and their morphology is similar to that of bighead carp. Silver carp is impatient and good at jumping.

3. The difference between silver carp and bighead carp

1. Bighead carp has a large head, which is equivalent to 1/3 of its body length, and its upper jaw protrudes slightly forward. Silver carp has a small head, which is equivalent to 1/5 of its body length, and its lower jaw protrudes slightly forward.

2. The back of bighead carp is dark brown with fine black spots, the belly is grayish white, and all fins are light gray. The back of the silver carp is gray, the belly is silvery white, and all fins are grayish white.

3. The pectoral fins of bighead carp are relatively large, much larger than the base of the pelvic fins. Silver carp has relatively small pectoral fins, with the tip of the pectoral fin only reaching the base of the pelvic fin.

4. The ventral ridge of bighead carp is from the pelvic fin to the anus, and the ventral ridge is relatively short. The belly ridge of silver carp runs from the chest to the anus, and is longer.

5. Bighead carp tastes better than silver carp and has higher nutritional value.