Movement and Migration of Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

Movement and migration of 18 adult black carps (Mylopharyngodon piceus) were determined by ultrasonic telemetry from the Yichang section to the Chenglingji section in the Middle reaches of the Yangtze River during 2011 and 2012. Movement and migration were monitored with stationary receivers and boat-mounted tracking.  Results showed that, the migratory cycle of black carps were divided into three stages, breeding period (May to July), feeding period (August to December) and wintering period (January to April). Black carp were more frequently located upstream of the release point than downstream during 2011 and 2012. The average movement rates were 14.48, 13.25 and 8.75 km/d for back carps during the breeding period, feeding period and wintering period, while the maximum total movement recorded was 347.12, 406.22 and 118.16 km respectively. In addition, the average water depths were 6.70, 6.83 and 13.51 m for back carps during the breeding period, feeding period and wintering period, and there were significant differences (P<0.05) in depth among the three periods. However, there was no significant differences (P<0.05) between breeding period and feeding period. During the breeding period, all of the adult black carps were found moving upstream to spawning grounds. After spawning, the adult black carps begin to fatten and the movement types of black carps were different. However, at the end of the feeding period, all of the adult black carps went undetected for a long time, and the average time undetected was148.5 d (ranged from 116 to 197 d). During the wintering period, only one black carp had moved. In conclusion, the releasing and enhancing of adult black carps tended to located upstream of the release point in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. They showed faster movement rate and an extensive range of migration during the breeding and feeding periods. However, they had little movement or migration during the wintering period.