Asian Carp
The Problem with Asian Carp
Asian Carp are a group of four species of fish that are native to China. They were introduced to America in the 1970s in order to clean ponds and waster water treatments facilities. After several floods, the carp made their way into the Mississippi River. Over the past few decades, the carp have expanded and taken over much of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
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Asian carp are invasive because they are not natural to America and its waterways. Like many other invasive species, Asian carp do not have a natural predator in their new environment. This has allowed the carp to out-compete the local organisms and completely disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
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Asian carp also pose a threat to people on the water. To escape predators, Asian carp will jump out of the water. A simple noise can lead to thousands of carp leaping into the air. This is especially dangerous to recreationists because a motor can easily disturb the carp. This has lead to many collisions and injuries.
Asian Carp Species
The most prevalent species of Asian carp are silver and bighead carp, but black and grass carp are still prevalent. The most distinct characteristic that distinguishes the species is the color.
Silver
Silver carp are the most prevalent of the four species. They can grow upwards of 3 feet and commonly weigh 20 pounds or more. Silver carp standout because of their namesake silver color.
Bighead
Bighead carp are the second most prevalent species of carp. Bighead carp can grow upwards of 5 feet and commonly weigh 40 pounds or more. They standout because of their large, protruding head.
Black
Black carp are the lest prevalent of all the carp species in America. They commonly grow to 3 feet long but can reach up to 6 feet long and 200 pounds. Black carp are distinguished by their black coloring and long, compressed bodies.
Grass
Grass carp are a notable portion of the carp population found in a America. They can grow upwards of 6ft and 100 pounds. Grass carp are distinguished by the color gradient formed from their green on top and white on bottom.