Grass Carp
Arkansas Pondstockers
Harrisburg, Arkansas
1-800-843-4748
Largemouth Bass Bluegill Redear Sunfish Hybrid Bream Channel Catfish Minnows Black Crappie Grass Carp
Grass carp were imported in 1963 by the USFWS for evaluation as an alternative to chemical control methods. Proving to be the most effective aquatic vegetation control, grass carp were made available to the public in 1973 for stocking private ponds. Because grass carp are an exotic species, concerns over their spread prompted many states to require the stocking of triploid (sterile) grass carp.
Like you and me, regular diploid grass carp have two chromosomes in every cell allowing the fish to produce viable eggs or sperm with 1 chromosome each. Triploid Grass carp have three chromosomes in each cell preventing them from producing viable eggs or sperm. Triploid grass carp are produced by combining the eggs and sperm from diploid grass carp and then shocking the fertilized eggs with temperature, pressure or chemicals early in development. The shock causes the egg to retain a naturally occurring third set of chromosomes that would normally be discarded.
This process is often variable, therefore, before triploid grass carp can be sold in certain states each fish must be individually blood tested to ensure it is sterile and then retested and certified by the USFWS. Pond owners may even be required to purchase permits from their State before stocking Triploid Grass Carp in their pond. Due to the required blood testing and USFWS certification Triploid Grass Carp are more expensive than normal diploid grass carp.
Currently diploid grass carp are only allowed in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and east of the continental divide in Colorado.
Triploid Grass Carp certified by the USFWS are required by Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, western Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Wyoming. Tennessee and South Carolina only allow Triploid Grass Carp however USWFS certification is not required.
Please check your local laws regarding the purchase of Grass Carp for vegetation control in your pond. Many states require evaluations or permits before grass carp can be purchased. It is a federal offense to transport grass carp across state lines in violation of state law, so please be informed of your local laws.
Grass Carp, also called white amur, are a biological control for aquatic vegetation. Unlike common carp, Grass carp will not spawn in ponds or muddy the water. Native to the Amur river in China, grass carp are strict herbivores using specialized teeth in the back of their throat to graze submerged plants from the top down. Grass carp require flowing water of large rivers to spawn and therefore cannot reproduce in ponds. Grass carp also grow to large sizes, are fun to catch and good to eat
Grass Carp should be stocked in the fall or spring before vegetation compeletely takes over your pond. Most vegetation problems begin in March and April. Waiting until June or July only guarantees that you will not be able to enjoy your pond during the summer months.