Abramis Brama Orientalis Research Articles

Complete mitochondrial genomes of Dactylogyrus crucifer and Dactylogyrus zandti reveal distinct patterns of codon usage within Dactylogyrus

Monogeneans of the genus Dactylogyrus Diesing, 1850, the largest genus in the family Dactylogyridae, mostly parasitize the gills of cyprinoid hosts; however, only 3 Dactylogyrus’ mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are studied so far. The aim of this research is to extend our understanding of the mitogenomes of Dactylogyrus. We sequenced the mitogenomes of D. crucifer and D. zandti isolated from Rutilus rutilus and Abramis brama orientalis in northwest China, and then we compared these mitogenomes with other monogeneans. We used Illumina NovaSeq to sequence the entire mitochondrial genomes of D. crucifer and D. zandti and characterized the mitogenomes to understand the gene structure, gene identity, the secondary structures of the 22 tRNA genes, and relative synonymous codon usage. We used the analytic Bayesian Information and Maximum Likelihood methods to determine their associated phylogenetic trees. The mitogenomes of D. crucifer and D. zandti were 14,403 and 18,584 bp, respectively. Organization and positioning of these genes were in accordance with Dactylogyrus lamellatus and Dactylogyrus tuba. The nucleotide composition of Dactylogyridae was different from other families of Monogenea, and the A+T count of genus Dactylogyrus (54 – 58.4 %) was lower than other genus species of the family Dactylogyridea (63.9 – 78.4 %) in protein-coding genes. Dactylogyrus members displayed a codon usage bias. The relative synonymous codon used by Dactylogyrus was not conserved and was lower than other monogeneans. The codon use patterns of closely-related species isolated from closely-related hosts were identical. Phylogenetic analyses using mitogenomic dataset produced Dactylogyrus isolated from host subfamily Leuciscinae formed a sister-group. Our results contributed significantly to an increased database of mitogenomes, more than 50 %, for Dactylogyrus that may help future studies of mitochondrial genes and codon uses for the analysis of monogenean phylogenetics.

Biological characteristics of main commercial fish of the shamkir reservoir

In 2019-2022, an ichthyological study of six species of the main commercial fish was carried out at the Shamkir reservoir on the Kura River. Studies have shown that the ratio of males and females among the main fish species caught in this reservoir was approximately 1:1 for bream (Abramis brama orientalis), zander (Sander lucioperca) and carp (Cyprinus carpio), 2:3 for Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), 5:4 for Caspian roach (Rutilus caspicus), and 3:2 for Danubian bleak (Chalcalburnus chalcoides). In all fish species, the difference between the body weight of males and females without viscera was greater than the difference between their total body weight, which was due to the presence of eggs in females. For the same reason, the fullness according to Fulton of males and females more differs, than fullness according to Clark. Comparition of the different age groups shows that the growth speed of lenth and mass of the carp and zander were higher than of the rest fish. The growth rate of roach and Danubian bleak was the lowest compared to other fish.

Trace elements in the muscle tissue of Hemiculter leucisculus and Abramis brama orientalis from the Anzali International wetland, south-west of Caspian Sea: An exposure risk assessment

High levels of trace elements in aquatic environments can affect the quality of seafood. We analyzed the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Hg, Mn, Ni and Pb, in the edible muscles of Hemiculter leucisculus and A. brama orientalis caught in four different areas of southwest of the Caspian Sea. We estimated the potential risks for human health deriving by the oral consumption of these two species, and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) according to the US-EPA approach. THQ by adults and children was always below 1 for all stations. The greater contribution was given by Co, followed by Cd, Hg, Pb, Ni, As and Mn. Total-THQ was 0.538 and 0.246 for children and adults, respectively. Trace elements detected by our study were not elevated, highlighting a positive picture of the studied area and a lower risk of developing chronic systemic effects deriving from the consumption of local fish products.

MORPHOLOGY OF ADULTS AND IMMATURES OF THE ACANTHOCEPHALAN, POMPHORHYNCHUS FUHAIENSIS YUE, 1998 (ACANTHOCEPHALA: POMPHORHYNCHIDAE) FROM CYPRINID FISH IN NORTHWEST CHINA.

Adult specimens of Pomphorhynchus fuhaiensis were identified from common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Ulungur Lake of northwest China, and acanthors, acanthellae, cystacanths dissected from Gammarus lacustris in a small tributary of Ulungur River for the first time. The acanthocephalans were also found in crucian carp (Carassius carassius L.), tench (Tinca tinca L.), oriental bream (Abramis brama orientalis Berg), and ide (Leuciscus idus L.) in the lake. This species is distinguished from other species in Pomphorhynchus by its large, spherical bulb and very long neck as well as by a cylindrical proboscis armed with 15-17 longitudinal rows of 9-12 hooks each. The anterior proboscis hooks are almost uniform in size and shape, the sixth hook in a short row and the seventh hook in long row decrease abruptly in size posteriorly with the last end hook being a little larger than the prebasal hook, and in a ring; posterior proboscis hooks much more widely spaced. Furthermore, the lemnisci are claviform. The mean neck:trunk ratio is about 0.5, which is larger than most other species in Pomphorhynchus. Females are larger than males. In males, the testes are in one-third to one-half of the trunk, equal, ovoid-spheroid, usually contiguous, and small relative to the body size, and there are 6 ovoid cement glands. Pomphorhynchus fuhaiensis is similar to Pomphorhynchus laevis but can be distinguished by the number of longitudinal rows of hooks. Pomphorhynchus laevis is armed with 18-20 longitudinal rows of 11-13 hooks, P. fuhaiensis is armed with 15-17 longitudinal rows of 9-12 hooks.

COMPOSITION AND STATE OF ICHTHYOFAUNA OF SMALL RIVERS OF THE DZHUNGAR ALATAU (ALAKOL BASIN) BY THE EXAMPLE OF SHYNZHYLY RIVER

Until now, the species composition and state of the ichthyofauna of small rivers in the Alakol basin have not been sufficiently studied. Such rivers are characterized by rapid changes in ecosystems, their ichthyofauna is most sensitive to the action of various anthropogenic and natural factors. It was found that in 2015-2017 and 2020 ichthyofauna composition of the Shynzhyly River experienced dramatic changes. Based on the studies carried out in the ichthyofauna of the Shynzhyly River, 9 species of fish were found belonging to 2 families of the order carp: naked osman Gymnodiptychus dybowskii (Kessler, 1874), Balkhash marinka Schizothorax argentatus (Kessler, 1874), Balkhash minnow Rhynchocypris poljakowii  (Kessler, 1879), spotted stone loach Triplophysa strauchii (Kessler, 1874), plain thicklip loach Triplophysa labiata (Kessler, 1874),   Tibetan stone loach Tryplophysa stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1866), Sewertzov’s stone loach Triplophysa sewerzowii (G. Nikolsky, 1938), freshwater bream Abramis brama orientalis (Berg, 1949) and stone moroko Pseudorasbora parva (Temminck et Schlegel, 1846). The fish community mainly consisted of native species. The most numerous were the naked osman, the Balkhash marinka, and the spotted stone loach. Thus, the Shynzhyly River is a reserve of aboriginal ichthyofauna and an important reproduction site for the Balkhash marinka and naked osman. Key words: Shynzhyly River, fish fauna, indigenous, alien, species composition, numbers.

Challenges for Sustainable Use of the Fish Resources from Lake Balkhash, a Fragile Lake in an Arid Ecosystem

Lake Balkhash is the largest water body in Central Asia. More than three-quarters of its inflow comes from the Ili River, which is under increasing strain due to the diversion of water for energy and food production. Commercial fishing in Lake Balkhash began in 1929 and is currently in a state of crisis. The construction of the Balkhash dam and reservoir in the late 1960s reduced Ili River flows into the lake and upset the natural cycle of spring floods, which greatly reduced spawning and feeding areas for carp (Cyprinus carpio). Carp populations were consequently reduced by more than 90% during the filling of the reservoir and have not recovered, even though the lake’s level subsequently rose. Catches of carp and freshwater bream (Abramis brama orientalis) have shown an inverse relationship since the 1960s, and the age structure of freshwater bream is changing. Historically, most captured fish of this species were 4- to 7-years-old, but smaller, 3- to 5-year-old fish have dominated recent catches. The total fish harvest from Lake Balkhash is currently at near historical lows, not just because of environmental factors, but also because of structural changes triggered by the collapse of the Soviet Union. Poaching, government disinterest, lack of enforcement of fishing regulations, and the economic challenges faced by today’s small fishing enterprises all contribute to the problem.

Parasitic protozoans of commercial fishes of the Kura river estuary

In 2014–2016 complete parasitological autopsy was used to examine 202 individuals of the Kura River estuary fish, belonging to the following 14 species: Caspian common sprat – Clupeonella delicatula caspia, Caspian shad – Alosa caspia caspia, black-backed shad – A. kessleri kessleri, Caspian roach – Rutilus rutilus caspius, kutum – R. frisii kutum, asp – Aspius aspius taeniatus, Kura shemaya – Chalcalburnus chalcoides, Transcaucasian silver bream – Blicca bjoerkna transcaucasica, bream – Abramis brama orientalis, Caspian vimba – Vimba vimba persa, carp – Cyprinus carpio, catfish – Silurus glanis, pike – Sander lucioperca, perch – Perca fluvistilis. As a result of the research there were found following 21 species of parasitic protozoa belonging to 5 phyla, 7 classes, 7 orders and 8 families: flagellates Trypanosoma carassii, Cryptobia borelli, Costia necatrix, coccidia Eimeria carpelli, microsporidium Pleistophora siluri, myxosporeans Myxobolus bliccae, M. bramae, M. cyprini, M. dispar, M. ellipsoides, M. muelleri, M. musculi, M. oviformis, M. pseudodispar, M. rotundus, infusorians Chilodonella hexasticha, Ch. piscicola, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina caspialosae, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina caspialosae, Trichodinella epizootica. The most frequent organ of localization of the parasites were the gills, in their tissues 7 species of myxosporeans, and on their surface 1 species of flagellates and 6 species of infusorians were found. In each of the remaining organs there were noted following numbers of species of parasitic protozoans: in the kidneys – 9 species, in the spleen – 7 species, in the muscles of the body – 6 species, in the skin and bladder – 5 species, in the liver – 4 species, on the surface of fins, in the bloodstream, intestinal walls and gall bladder – 2 species, in the heart, subcutaneous connective tissue, eyes and brain – 1 species. In the composition of protofauna, endoparasites (14 species) significantly prevailed over ectoparasites (7 species), and the forms that develop with a change of hosts (12 species), prevailed over forms that have a simple development cycle (9 species). Most of the parasites are of freshwater origin, so more species of parasites were found in fish caught in the highly desalinated part of the Kura estuary than in areas with more mineralized water. It has been established that, in contrast to ectoparasites, freshwater endoparasites, the infection by which occurs in fresh water, in the body of fish are also transferred to more mineralized sites. Among all discovered protozoa 7 species are the causative agents of fish diseases. However, due to not very high infection of fish, no pathogenic phenomena caused by these parasites were observed.

ОБ ОСОБЕННОСТЯХ ЕСТЕСТВЕННОГО ВОСПРОИЗВОДСТВА ЛЕЩА (ABRAMIS BRAMA ORIENTALIS, 1758) НА НЕРЕСТИЛИЩАХ НИЗОВИЙ РЕКИ ВОЛГИ В МНОГОВОДНОМ 2013 И МАЛОВОДНОМ 2015 ГОДАХ

The article presents data on spawning sires and feeding the young of bream ( Abramis brama orientalis , 1758) taken in the period from April to July 2013 and 2015 in the spring floods of the Volga delta: in the west - around the Main, Kirovsky and Gandurino banks; in the east - around Vasiljevsky and Belinsky banks. It has been found that all the components of spring flood lay the foundations of a wide range of reasons influencing primarily the efficiency of natural productivity of the species. The article presents data on distribution of bream larvae and juveniles in the eastern and western parts of the Volga delta, in the lower part of the Volga-Akhtuba flood-lands and in the kultuks. The efficiency of natural reproduction of bream depending on changes of hydrological regime has been estimated. More favorable conditions for bream sire reproduction took place in the high-water year of 2013, when the total number of fry on the spawning grounds of the lower part of the Volga-Akhtuba flood-lands and the Volga delta made 3.1 times more than in the low-water year of 2015. In 2013 the highest productivity of bream fry was registered in the eastern spawning grounds in the middle part; in 2015 due to late flooding of spawning grounds and early run of the fry from the spring floods and from the channel banks, the fry number grew in the kultuks. At the end of the flooding the average length of the fry fishes made 11.7 mm, mass - 18.5 mg, which was 2 and 14 times less than in 2013, correspondingly. The main reason of juvenile bream abundance reducing in 2015 was unfavorable hydrological conditions resulting in reduced spawning areas in the Volga delta. Bream fry had no time to grow over a short period of staying in the spring floods and had to run into kultuks of the North Caspian at the unviable stage of development, which lead to negative consequences of survival and productivity of bream species.

Biodiversity, the present ecological state of the Aral Sea and its impact on future development

The Aral sea used to be the fourth largest lake in the world. Its catchment area is huge, two main rivers (Amu Darya and Syr Darya) feed the lake. The balance of hydrological regime changed drastically after 1960 due to regulation of both main rivers and diversion of water for agricultural irrigation and intense cotton production. Salinity increased and most of invertebrate and fish species disappeared. A significant drop of water level has been recorded in the past 20 years and Aral Lake is presently divided into a small northern lake basin and a larger south basin. Kokaral dam construction resulted in increased water level and decreased salinity. Many invertebrate species reappeared in Small Aral and fish returned from Syr Darya river. Ecological situation in Large Aral is different, eastern part of this basin is completely dried out. The data on salinity levels, some chemical characteristics and above all the data about zooplankton, zoobenthos and fish in Small Aral have been recorded and presented in the article. Salinity ranges between 1 and 8 g/L, the lowest is near the river inlet. Five species of zooplankton (Keratella quadrata, Brachionus plicatilis, Evadne anonyx, Calanipeda aquaedulcis, Cyclops vicinus) and rotifers from the genus Synchaeta are very abundant, ten species are less numerous and seven summer species very rare. Different zoobenthos species are present, but only four abundant (Hediste diversicolor, Chironomus plumosus, Syndosmya segmentum and Cyprideis torosa). Zoobenthos mainly consist of Polychaeta, Mollusca, Crustacea and Diptera. The highest diversity was found near the Kokaral dam. Many fish species are commercially important: 14 of them are abundant, including endemic bream Abramis brama orientalis, Chalcalburnus chalcoides aralensis, carp Cyprinus carpio aralensis, and Aral roach Rutilus rutilus aralensis. White-eye bream Abramis sapa aralensis, silver carp Hypophtalmichthys molitrix, orfe Leuciscus idus oxianus, and snakehead Channa argus warpachowskii are less numerous. Aral barbel Barbus brachycephalus brachycephalus and Turkestan barbel Barbus capito conocephalus remain very rare. It can be concluded that significant positive changes occurred after Kokaral dam construction. Particularly, biocenoses and the Aral lake environment have been improved and fisheries returned. Today Kazakhstan Government is discussing an idea to improve this dam and dike and we support this discussion and advise to make it higher. All can lead to improve ecological state of the Small Aral.

Comparison of genetic variation of wild and farmed Bream (Abramis brama orientalis; berg, 1905) using microsatellite markers.

Bream (Abramis brama orientalis) is one of the most commercially valuable fish in the Caspian Sea. The aim of this study was to compare levels of genetic polymorphism between wild and farmed Bream populations using seven microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity was investigated by studying samples collected from two regions; Chaboksar and the Artificial Propagation Center of Guilan province. Allele frequency was found to have declined in wild and cultured fish due to inbreeding and genetic drift. Significant population differentiation (Fst) was observed between wild and farmed populations, which could be explained by the low number of alleles in two populations. Significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found at more loci. Beyond the null alleles' hypothesis, heterozygote deficiency may have arisen due to inbreeding. Both populations showed lowest genetic diversity according to the number of alleles and genotypes per each locus. This approach was carried out for the first time and could provide information regarding the genetic variability of farmed and wild abramis brama fish using microsatellite markers. Results could be used for the management and conservation of artificial Bream propagation programs.

Adaptive increase of level of serotonin-modulated anticonsolidational protein in tissues of semimigratory and migratory fish at increase of water salinity

The article deals with studies of serotonergic system activity in different tissues of semimigratory fish—the Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) and the carpbream (Abramis brama orientalis)—and of migratory fish—shemaya (Chalcalburnus chalcoides) caught in fresh and brackish waters, as well as in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) tissues under effect of brackish water in model experiments. Using the indirect solid-phase ELISA-test, the serotonergic system activity was evaluated by measuring in the tissues of the studied fish the serotonin-modulated anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) which is in linear relationship with the serotonin level. There was found a significant elevation of SMAP levels in brains of the Caspian roach, carpbream, shemaya, and the common carp under action of increased water salinity. A revealed increase of the SMAP content in brain of the Caspian roach, carpbream, shemaya and the common carp under action of increased water salinity reflects the corresponding elevated activity of the serotoninergic system and indicates involvement of adaptive readjustments in the animals’ body.

Spatial distribution of Dactylogyrus wunderi Bychowsky on gills of Abramis brama orientalis Berg (Leuciscinae) in Irtysh River, China

The spatial distribution of the monogenean Dactylogyrus wunderi Bychowsky, 1931 on the gill filaments of the bream Abramis brama orientalis Berg (Leuciscinae) inhabiting the Irtysh River of Xinjiang, China was investigated from June to July 2012. D. wunderi was identified by sequencing a fragment of its ITS rDNA region. Sixty-five fish were examined, with 55% testing positive for monogenean infection. The prevalence of the parasite in the left and right gill arches was 46% and 48%, respectively. In fish with a large body length, the prevalence of the parasite and the infection intensity did not significantly differ between the right and left gill arches but both were slightly higher in the former. Among the three size groups of fish (small, medium and large) the prevalence and the intensity of infection were lowest in fish with small body lengths. The distribution of the monogenean population in the host gills showed an aggregate distribution, with little change in the degree of aggregation, suggesting that most hosts were either not or only slightly infected by D. wunderi and that the parasite infected only a few hosts. In addition, differences in D. wunderi infections between gill arches of A. brama orientalis were not significant (P>0.05).

Complete mitochondrial genome of Abramis brama orientalis Berg (cypriniformes, Cyprinidae, Leuciscinae)

In this study, we cloned and sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Abramis brama orientalis Berg. The genome was 16,610 bp (LR) in length and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and 2 main non-coding regions [the control region (CR) and the origin of the light strand replication], the gene composition and order of which was similar to those reported from other fish mitochondrial genomes. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was T 26.7%, C 26.5 %, A 30.0% and G 16.8%, with a slight A + T bias of 56.7%. This mitogenome sequence data would play an important role in population genetics and phylogenetic analysis of the Leuciscinae.

Haematological characteristics associated with parasitism in bream, Abramis brama orientalis.

A parasitological investigation was done on 175 specimens. Infections of A. brama orientalis were analyzed according to the age and sex. The fish also were examined for evaluation changes of haematological parameters in relation to parasitic infection. Four parasites were found, including-Caryophyllaeus laticeps and Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda), Diplostomum spathaceum (Platyhelminthes) and Trichodina sp. (Ciliophora). Among identified parasites maximum prevalence and mean intensity were related to Ligula intestinalis and Caryophyllaeus laticeps respectively. The values of prevalence and mean intensity showed significant differences among ages. Our results revealed prevalence, mean intensity and abundance had not significant difference between males and females. Parasite infection provoked reduction (P<0.05) in haematocrit, mean cell volume and lymphocyte. On the other hand, significant increase (P<0.05) in white blood cell (WBC), mean cell haemoglobin concentration and neutrophil in blood of infected fish was observed. Significant differences were detected for the WBC, lymphocyte and neutrophil (infected versus uninfected by Trichodina sp., Diplostomum spathaceum and Caryophyllaeus laticeps). In addition to WBC and lymphocytes, significant change was observed for the haemoglobin (Hb) (infected versus uninfected by Ligula intestinalis).

Dietary lysine and methionine requirement of bream Abramis brama orientalis juvenile

This study was conducted to estimate the dietary lysine and methionine requirement of juvenile Abramis brama orientalis based on growth performance. Juveniles (initial body weight, 0.80±0.08 g) fed 3 times daily with 5% body weight per day with the basal diet containing 0.3 and 0.6% lysine and methionine alone or in combination. The juveniles were cultured in indoor tanks with three replicates per dietary treatment. Bream juveniles fed the diet contained both lysine and methionine at 0.6% showed relatively higher specific growth rate and slightly lower feed conversion ratio at the end of the feeding trial. On the other hand, diet supplemented with both lysine and methionine has better improved the growth rate of the juveniles.

Fish community successions in Lake Ulungur: A case of fish invasions in fragile oasis

Lake Ulungur, located in the desert region of northwest China, is one of the most important fishing grounds in the Chinese inland area. Ulungur possessed a simple fish assemblage of 7 indigenous species of fish, dominated by the common perch, Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus and Leuciscus dzungaricus. Over the last 40 years, 14 non-indigenous species of fish have been introduced into this fragile ecosystem via intentional or unintentional human activities. Over the decades since these introductions, the fish community of Ulungur has been severely altered. Most of the niches that had inhabited by the native species of fishes are now occupied by these non-native species. The two, once dominate species, the common perch and Leuciscus dzungaricus, have become endangered and threatened with extinction, while the non-native Pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus Pallas), the Aral bream (Abramis brama orientalis Berg) and the Northern pike (Esox lucius Linnaeus), have become the most prevalent species. In this paper, non-indigenous fish introductions and the corresponding changes in native fish communities in Ulungur are outlined. Possible mechanisms of community succession were analyzed to provide information for the management of fish introduction.

Changes of the serotonergic system activity in fish tissues during an increase of water salinity

Changes of environment parameters produce essential effects on the serotonergic system activity in the body tissues. This paper describes study of the serotonergic system activity in various tissues of half-migratory fish - the Caspian roach Rutilus rutilus caspicus and the bream Abramis brama orientalis - caught in the fresh and brackish water. Using the method of indirect solid-phase ELISA test, the serotonergic system activity was assessed by determining in the studied fish tissues of the amount of serotonin-modulating anticonsolidation protein (SMAP) that is in the linear correlation with serotonin level. A significant change of the SMAP level in the Caspian roach and bream brain was found under effect on increased water salinity. Analysis of the SMAP amount in the bream liver did not reveal any differences in the animals caught in the brackish and fresh water. At the same time, in the bream gill there was a small rise of the SMAP content in the fish caught in the brackish water. The revealed in this experiment elevation of the SMAP amount in the Caspian roach and bream brain reflecting a corresponding increase of the serotonergic system activity indicates involvement of adaptive readjustments in the animal body.

Genetic comparison of Iranian and Azeri populations of the oriental bream Abramis brama orientalis (Berg) using microsatellites

The aim of this study was to compare, levels of genetic polymorphism between Iranian and Azeri bream (Abramis brama orientalis) populations using five microsatellite loci. The reduced number of alleles in the Iranian populations compared with the Azeri population led us to infer that the genetic variability of the Iranian stocks has been reduced due to inbreeding and genetic drift. Significant population differentiation (Fst) was observed between the Azeri and the Iranian populations, which could be explained by the higher number of alleles in the Azeri population. Significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found at more loci in the Iranian populations than the Azeri population. Beyond the hypothesis of null alleles, the heterozygote deficiency may have arisen due to breeding between related individuals in the Iranian populations. This investigation represents the first approach to the knowledge of the genetic variability of Iranian and Azeri bream populations using microsatellite markers, and the reported results could be of interest for management and conservation programmes of this species in Iran.

Intergeneric Hybridization between Kutum, Rutilus frisii kutum, and Bream, Abramis brama orientalis, of the Caspian Sea

Abstract Artificial hybridization was performed between Rutilus frisii kutum and Abramis brama orientalis of the Caspian Sea. Synchronization of spawning of female broodstock of both species was induced by injection of carp pituitary extract. Reciprocal crossings between R. frisii kutum ♀×A. brama orientalis ♂ (RA) and A. brama orientalis ♀×R. frisii kutum ♂ (AR) produced viable hybrid larvae without any clear particular pre‐ or postzygotic isolation phenomena. RA and AR hybrid larvae were reared to fingerling stage with survival rates of 22.5 and 28% and average weight of 6.8 ± 0.17 g and 9.0 ± 0.79 g, respectively. A heterosis of 45% was calculated for weight at fingerling stage. RA and AR hybrid fingerlings were cultured in polyculture along with Chinese carps for 6–7 mo and reached an average weight of 190–195 g and 235–255 g, respectively. Karyotyping of these hybrids revealed a modal diploid number of 2n = 50 for both groups, which is similar to those of the parental species. Discriminant function analysis on 28 morphometric and meristic characteristics of two parental species as well as their hybrids could separate these groups at highly significant level (P &lt; 0.001). These results indicated an overall intermediate inheritance of the studied characters.