Asian Carp

Quick Take

• Asian carp didn't sneak into US waters by accident. They were deliberately put there, and the reason why reveals a costly ecological miscalculation. See how they spread →
• These fish eat at a scale that makes them nearly impossible to compete with, and native species are paying the price for it. See their feeding habits →
• A natural predator is being deployed against Asian carp in invaded waters, and most people would not expect what it is. Meet their natural predators →
• Asian carp are considered a serious ecological threat, yet people have been eating them as a delicacy for thousands of years. There is, however, one important catch. Explore the edible catch →

The Asian carp are several species of heavy-bodied cyprinid fish that are referred to as “Asian carp”. They are found throughout the United States, where they are considered to be invasive.

Asian carp are native to Asia, and black varieties can be found in parts of Russia, Vietnam, and China. They inhabit warm rivers and impoundments. In the 1970s, they were introduced into the Southern catfish municipal sewage ponds and farms to help control the algae outbreaks in these water systems.

Over time, they escaped from these waters and made their way into the north, where they became voracious eaters and are now becoming the most common fish species in some places of the Mississippi River.

3 Facts About Asian Carp

• Asian carp are considered an invasive species in the United States and compete with native fish for resources, making them a threat to the ecosystem.
• They can consume up to 20% of their body weight in food each day.
• Asian carp are hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of different water temperatures, conditions, and oxygen levels.

Classification and Scientific Name

Asian carp belong to a class of freshwater, ray-finned fishes. They consist of several different species, which are all members of the cyprinid family. They belong to the same family as minnows and common carp.

Species

The term “Asian carp” does not describe only one species of fish but several different fish. This includes:

• Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus): Native to rivers and lakes in East Asia, and is considered one of the largest cyprinids in the world.
• Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis): Highly regarded in fish farming and is native to East Asia.
• Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix): One of the varieties that are native to eastern Siberia and Asia and are threatened in their natural habitat.
• Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella): A species of large herbivorous fish native to the Pacific Far East.

Appearance

The Asian carp’s appearance will vary according to their species; however, they are all fast-growing fish that have a large body with either a black, silver, bronze, brown, or slightly golden tint. They have short fins, with some species of Asian carp having a deeper body rather than a lengthened look.

The average size of the Asian carp can reach around 30 to 40 pounds (13 to 18 kg), with the heaviest being 100 pounds (45 kg) and a maximum size of two to four feet depending on their environment, diet, and species. The Black carp is one of the largest species of Asian carp and can reach a whopping 150 pounds (70 kg) and 75 inches (1.9 m) in length.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

Asian carp originate from Asia but are commonly found in the United States. The silver, grass, and bighead carp can be found in the Mississippi River basin and are found in exceptionally large numbers to the point where they have been considered an invasive species.

Grass carp have been found in the Great Lakes (except for Lake Superior), and while no silver or black carp have been physically caught in these lakes, environmental DNA from silver carp has been detected in Michigan waters. Grass carp have also been found abundantly throughout Mexico, where they have been established for many years in two different river systems and are invasive.

The Asian carp’s habitat includes freshwater lakes, rivers, and other water systems with either temperate or tropical water conditions. They prefer lakes with a sandy substrate and plenty of vegetation; however, they can survive in less-than-ideal conditions as they are hardy fish.

How To Catch Asian Carp

Asian carp are commonly fished for as food. You can use small or medium-sized dough balls as bait on large hooks to catch them, and bowfishing is the most recommended method. Asian carp lurk around the bottom of lakes and ponds, so you will need to lure them out from the deeper waters, usually where there is a lot of vegetation.

Predators and Prey

What Eats Asian Carp?

Asian carp’s natural predators include native fish that are carnivorous. Alligator gar are also used to control the Asian carp populations in areas where they are considered to be invasive pests.

What Does Asian Carp Eat?

Asian carp will primarily feed on zooplankton, worms, and small sea creatures, along with crustaceans, insects, and aquatic vegetation, which makes them omnivores. They can eat up to 20% of their total body weight, which is why they are considered a threat to native fish and vegetation in environments where they are considered invasive, as the native fish have to compete with these ferocious eaters for food.

Reproduction and Lifespan

Asian carp reproduce fairly quickly, which allows them to keep a stable population in the wild. In the wild, bigheaded carp spawn from spring to summer when the water temperatures are moderately warm to trigger spawning behavior. When the spawning season comes around, Asian carp will look for shallow waters that have a lot of vegetation for them to lay their eggs, as this allows the eggs to cling to plants for safety. However, the eggs are sought out by predators. The Asian carp can lay eggs as late as September if the conditions are favorable, and the eggs they lay can cover a good distance in the water instead of being gathered into one spot.

Asian carp have a long lifespan of 10 to 25 years, which can be affected by factors such as food availability, water conditions, and the group’s reproductive rate.

Asian Carp In Food

Asian carp are edible fish that are said to be quite tasty. They are safe to eat when farmed in clean water; however, they should not be eaten straight from the wild. All Asian carp have firm, white flesh, while their intramuscular bones, which can be found in Asian carp fillets, are undesirable. They have been a popular food in Asia for thousands of years and are believed to be lower in mercury because they do not feed on other fish. Asian carp can be made into soups or fillets and eaten with soya sauce.

Asian Carp Population

Asian carp have been introduced into various waters or have escaped from their natural habitats to invade native waters in different countries. As the Asian carp’s population increases, they affect the native fish populations, which explains why there are various control measures in place to help lower the numbers of Asian carp in waters where they are considered invasive. The highest population of Asian carp seems to be in the Mississippi River basin and tributaries.