Sex identification
- Is important for controlling the sex ratio, for brood fish management, for proper rearing and for spawning induction, as well as for fertilization.
- Normally, pectoral fins are the main indicator for sex identification.
- The main sexual characteristics of male and female mature carps are given below:
|
Characters |
Male |
Female |
|
Scales |
Rough with sandy texture |
Smooth and silky |
|
Operculum |
Rough with sandy tubercules |
Smooth |
|
Pectoral fin |
Rough with sandy touch, slightly longer than female |
Smooth and slippery, slightly smaller in length |
|
Abdomen |
Round and firm and not too soft to the touch |
Bulging out on both sides or puffy, soft and palpable |
|
Vent |
Concave, generally white in color. |
Convex, projecting like a small papilla, reddish or pinkish in color. |
|
Pressure on abdomen |
On slight pressure above the vent on the abdomen, milky white fluids (milt) runs through the vent. |
On slight pressure, yellowish discharge or a few ova may come out through the vent. |