Catchability and Pulling Strength of Various Races of the Common Carp Caught by Angling

Abstract

In order to obtain basic information for genetic improvement of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, differences in catchability and pulling strength in Japanese and European races were studied. The mirror carp was most catchable, the asagi intermediate, and the yamato and the wild carps least catchable. When artificial feed was the bait, all differences between races were significant except that between the yamato and wild carps; the rank was as follows: mirror > asagi > yamato ≧ wild. When the bait was earthworms, however, the only significant difference was that between the asagi and wild carps. The mirror carp had the lowest pulling strength, and the scaly German carp was intermediate between that of the mirror and the Japanese carps. Among the Japanese carps the only significant difference was that between the yamato and the asagi carps. These results in pulling strength were the same whether the carps were cultivated in standing- or running-water ponds. © 1978, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.