Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

The Silver Carp or Hypophthalmichthys molitrix is one of the species of Asian Carp that is threatening to invade and devastate The Great Lakes.  The Silver Carp along with the Bighead Carp where introduced by Catfish farmers in the 1970s to help control algae.  Floods in the 1990s overflowed the ponds that kept these freshwater fish secured and they made their way into the Mississippi River basin.  They have since traveled up the Mississippi and have reproduced so much that they have even become the most abundant species in several areas!  Silver Carps also known as Flying Carp are now considered an invasive species, and should be reported to the DNR if caught anywhere near The Great Lakes.

The ravenous appetite of the Silver Carp along with its ability to reproduce quickly makes it all the more dangerous.  These fish are not small either, growing to over 4' long and weighing in at over 100lbs!  One rather strange, but even more dangerous attribute of these invasive monsters is the fact that they like to jump out of the water when a boat passes by.  This can be very bad for the fishermen and the boats alike!  Just take a look at these videos below to see the Silver Carp jumping like maniacs out of the water!


Another odd characteristic of the Silver Carp is the fact that they have no stomach!  They feed on phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus.  As you can imagine with these fish, it is in one end and out the other!  Some think that these Carp can be use to control some forms of algae, while other worry about the side effects of introducing this species of Carp.

If you have any additional information or questions about the Silver Carp just leave us a comment.

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The Grass Carp or Ctenopharyngodon idella originates in Eastern Asia, but has since been introduced to The United States and Europe. These freshwater fish get their name from the fact that they can eat large quantities of underwater weeds. For this reason they are often used to control weed problems in lakes and small ponds. You can check out the Grass Carp underwater in the video below...

In The United States this fish is referred to as the White Amur where it has been introduced in many different climates. They have long bodies that are thicker than most with a dark olive coloration and a white underbelly. These fish grow very quickly almost doubling in size in just a few months when they are young! As they mature they can reach lengths of about 4' (1.2m) maximum and weight 40lbs (18kg). Considering the fact that they can only live just over 10 years, you can certainly get an idea of just how quickly these Grass Carp grow! They have impressive metabolisms that allow them to consume multiple times their body weight in just a single day! Unlike its close relative the Common Carp, Grass Carp do not have any barbels on their mouths. Grass Carps are easy to reproduce and because of their high tolerance to poor water conditions and a great variation in temperatures they are considered to be an invasive species. With their populations kept in check though they are still used in many places to control the grow of underwater vegetation. In many places in the world they are also used for food and considered to be a favorite in China.

Shubunkin

The Shubunkin or Carassius auratus is a singled tail Goldfish that originated in China. This freshwater fish is very hardy and is filled with white, black, red and orange blotches much like the Koi. A perfect beginner fish this is one of the easiest fish to take care of. They do not need an extremely large tank and don't require a heater either which makes them all the more popular. The Shubunkin Fish is also called the Speckled Goldfish or the Harlequin Goldfish. When this fish spawns it can have over 1,000 eggs and only take about a week to hatch. This fish should be fed small live foods or flakes. The fish will eat plant roots so be sure your plants are covered with rocks to protect them. The Shubunkin fish can grow just over 1' in length when kept in a large aquarium or pond.

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Common Carp Or Koi

The Common Carp, Koi or Cyprinus carpio is a freshwater fish that can grow over 5' in length and weigh over 80lbs. These bottom feeders with eat almost anything including cereal, vegetables, worms, fruit and including many kinds of plant life. Fisherman around the world enjoy the Common Carp as a meal. In fact in Austria, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Croatia and Poland Carp is part of a traditional Christmas Eve dinner! The Koi version of this fish is brightly colored and is a favorite pet.
This type of fish will actually recognize its owner, and can be trained to feed right from your hand! Koi are known to live 40 years or more, there have even been reports of Japanese Koi living to 200 years old. The Common Carp or Koi is a very hardy fish and will easily last a long time if properly taken care of with good filtration and overall water quality.

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