Details
Ctenopharyngodon idella
A large East Asian carp that eats aquatic plants heavily and has been introduced worldwide for aquaculture and vegetation control.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Native to large rivers, lakes, and floodplains of China and the Amur basin. Introduced populations occur in rivers, ponds, and reservoirs.
The body is long and cylindrical, olive above and pale below, with large scales and a terminal mouth without barbels.
Loose groups move through vegetated waters. Natural reproduction is tied to large flowing rivers.
Adults mainly graze aquatic plants, while young fish also eat zooplankton and small invertebrates.
Adults release drifting eggs in rising large rivers. Eggs develop while moving downstream, so still waters alone rarely support spawning.
Grass carp can control aquatic plants, but excessive grazing may alter habitat for waterbirds and native fishes.
