In its natural range, it occurs in rivers with marked water-level fluctuations and overwinters in middle and lower stretches. Forages in shallow (0.5-1.0 m deep) and warm (over 21°C) backwaters, lakes and flooded areas with slow current. Breeds in rivers or tributaries over shallow rapids with gravel or sand bottom, high current (0.5-1.7 m/s), turbid water, temperatures above 15°C (usually 18-26°C) and high oxygen concentrations (Ref. 59043). Migrates upstream to breed; egg and larva float downstream to floodplain zones. An active species well known for its habit of leaping clear of the water when disturbed (Ref. 7248). Swims just beneath the water surface (Ref. 5258). Stocked in large rivers and almost all still water bodies as lakes and ponds. Often escapes from fish farms. In aquaculture, it can survive brackish water (up to 7 ppt) when released into estuaries and coastal lakes (Ref. 59043). Requires standing or slow-flowing conditions such as in impoundments or the backwaters of large rivers. Feeds on phytoplankton and zooplankton (Ref. 30578, 10294), from about 1.5 cm SL feeding only on phytoplankton while larvae and small juveniles preying on zooplankton (Ref. 59043). Juveniles and adults form large schools during spawning season. Undertakes long distance upriver migration at start of a rapid flood and water-level increase, able to leap over obstacles up to 1 m. Spawns in upper water layer or even at surface during floods when the water level increases by 50-120 cm above normal level. Spawning ceases if conditions change (especially sensitive to water-level fall, reduced turbidity and increased current velocity) and resumes again when water level increases. After spawning, adults migrate for foraging habitats, In autumn, adults move to deeper places in main course of river where they remain without feeding. Larvae drift downstream and settle in floodplain lakes, shallow shores and backwaters with little or no current (Ref. 59043). Utilized fresh for human consumption and also introduced to many countries where its ability to clean reservoirs and other waters of clogging algae is appreciated even more than its food value (Ref. 9987). It is among 3 or 4 species of cyprinids whose world production in aquaculture exceeds 1 million tons per year (Ref. 30578).