Asian carp

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

There are several species of fish known as Asian carp. Five of these have been imported to the United States:

• grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
• common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
• silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molotrix)
• bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)
• black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus)

All five species have been cultivated in aquaculture in China for over 1,000 years. Grass, silver, bighead and black carps are known as the "Four Domesticated Fish" in China and are the most important freshwater fish species for food and Chinese medicine. Common carp, on the other hand, is cultivated mainly as pet fish.

However, in the United States, some species of carp are becoming known as invasive species.

Common carp was brought to the U.S. in 1831, and has been widespread for a long time. Three varieties—grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp—have escaped from aquaculture ponds that flooded since 1990. Black carp have not yet been detected outside of ponds where they are being bred. The most dramatic rise has been in the population of bighead carp.

Silver carp have become notorious for being easily frightened by boats and personal watercraft. The fish can jump 8–10 feet (2.5–3 m) into the air, and several people have been injured by them. They can grow to 40 pounds (18 kg) in mass. Bighead carp can grow even bigger.

[edit] References

• Todd M. Koel, Kevin S. Irons, and Eric Ratcliff (November 2000). Asian Carp Invasion of the Upper Mississippi River System. United States Geological Survey. Accessed May 26, 2004.
• Exotic Species: Asian Carp. Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Accessed Sep 18, 2006.