Crass Carp:
Organic Scrubbing Bubbles for your Pond
Disclaimer: Please
note that all information below and published by Headwaters Fish Company is
designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. This blog is
not meant to be used, nor should it be used to determine or treat your pond’s
needs. For determining the best care for your pond, consult our pond stocking
and management professionals, or other professionals near you. The publisher
and author and Headwaters Fish Company are not responsible for any damages or
negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation
following the information contained in this blog. For
best results, please always consult a professional regarding your specific and
unique pond prior to introducing new species, or making changes to the pond’s
ecosystem. References are provided for
informational purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement of any websites
or other sources.
If you are a pond owner, no matter the pond’s acreage or
ecosystem, you have likely watched in despair as your pond has become overtaken
by plants and foliage. You might have tried pesticides only to see the plants
return within a few months, or worse, damage your pond’s ecosystem with harmful
chemicals. Carp are an often overlooked
fish, which when balanced well with your pond’s specific needs will act as Scrubbing
Bubbles© does in your shower: removing muck, grime, and unwanted bacteria. Keep
reading to learn why crass carp may be the most important, and busy fish in
your pond.
What are
grass carp?
Grass carp are a large, herbivorous species of fish which
are native to Eastern Asia. While they are cultivated in Asia largely for food,
in the United States and Europe they are used for controlling aquatic
vegetation. Grass carp generally grow up to or a little more than 36 inches, or
3 feet. For this reason, many people additionally enjoy having them in their ponds as a
visual attraction, providing them with a large unaggressive and non-dominant
species. On average, grass carp live around 7-11 years. As a result of their immense,
fast reproductive capabilities, all crass carp in the Southeastern United
States must be sold in a sterile state, meaning they are unable to reproduce.
The process of sterilizing the fish is done during embryo, by applying slight
pressure to the embryo. This doesn’t harm the fish, and allows for effective
control of their population. When proper populations of carp are introduced to
ponds, they play one of the most important roles in the pond’s functioning, and
are a delight for the pond owners and patrons.
What can
grass carp do for my pond?
Economical,
long lasting, effective control of your pond’s algae and other aquatic
vegetation.
If you own a pond, chances are you
understand the importance of keeping algae and other aquatic vegetation at bay.
If you are looking into establishing a pond, you’ll need to understand why
excessive aquatic vegetation could be damaging to your pond’s ecosystem.
Without proper aeration, the pond doesn’t have enough oxygen for the species
living within it, meaning varieties of fish and plants will not survive in your pond. The most common cause of insufficient aeration is overgrowth
of algae and other aquatic vegetation. Grass carp being the herbivores that
they are, will consume the overgrowth and quickly, and efficiently ‘clean’ your
pond. They aren’t a dominant species and thus won’t compete with the dominant
species already in your pond. Rather, these grass carp will serve as an organic 'scrubbing bubbles' for you pond, living peacefully alongside the other species
and ensuring the ecosystem within your pond functions effectively and
organically.
Check out this informative video from the professionals at AquaTalk about the benefit of using grass carp to control vegetation!
Need more proof? Check out this picture of a pond in Southeast Florida and it's vegetation before and after the introduction of grass carp! The top photo is before the grass carp, while the bottom photo is after the grass carp have done their jobs (quite effectively!)
Well, in
that case….who wouldn’t want grass carp?
There are a few
situations in which grass carp may not meet your specific pond’s needs. Some
pond owners prefer that their pond’s ecosystem be entirely native. With grass
carp originating in Asia, the carp aren't a native fish of the United States.
Additionally, some pond owners prefer the aesthetic of lily pads and other
pleasant vegetation in their ponds. As is their nature, grass carp will feed on
these vegetation and impede or stop their growth. If this is the case,
elimination or significant reduction of grass carp in the pond will allow for
this vegetation to thrive. Pond owners who wish to attract ducks to their ponds
might also consider elimination or limitation of grass carp, as ducks are
surface feeders, and their food will be consumed by the grass carp, leaving the
ducks no reason to visit the pond. Overall, the most important part of
considering grass carp for your pond lies in determining the right amount for
cleaning, but not over eliminating aquatic vegetation.
Should I
use grass carp, and how many will I need?
It is likely
that your pond could benefit from Grass Carp. At Headwaters Fish Co., we rarely
consult pond owners without recommending carp for their ponds. Generally, we recommend
5-25 grass carp per acre, depending on the severity of aquatic vegetation
overgrowth. Sometimes it is necessary to introduce a number of carp, allow them
to resolve the issue, and then remove all but a few of them for the purpose of
maintaining the pond’s cleanliness.
If you
think your pond could use grass carp, give us a call for your free
consultation. We’ll visit your pond and use our expertise to recommend the best
number of carp for you. It’s important to consider the source of the carp you’d
like to introduce to your pond. At Headwaters Fish Company, we are one of few
pond stocking companies to work closely with a local and trusted southeastern
supplier of carp to ensure your pond will be a delight for you, your family,
and it’s visitors for years to come!
Happy first day of summer and we hope you’re spending the
day with a fishing pole in your hand!
-
The Headwaters Crew
Sources
AquaTalk from Aquascape Environmental: Grass Carp for
Vegetation Control. Dir. AquaTalk.
Perf. Evan Carpenter and Paul Slavisky. 2012. Youtube.
Emma Weeks, Jeffery Hill. "Featured Creatures :
Grass Carp." Enotomology & Nematology University of Florida (n.d.).
Web.
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