What is a triploid grass carp?
What is a triploid grass carp?
Triploid grass carp are unique, olive-green, cigar-shaped fish often observed basking in the sunshine in shallow water as they soak up warm surface temperatures. What sets these fish apart from others is their intense appetite for a wide variety of underwater plant life.
Can triploid carp reproduce?
Some states permit the introduction of genetically altered, or triploid, carps under the assumption that these animals are sterile, unable to reproduce. However, there are stud- ies that indicate methods of both induction and detection of triploidy may not be 100% effective.
How fast do triploid grass carp grow?
2 inches per month
With enough food supply the grass carp can get to be a pretty good size. In the first 2 years they can grow incredibly fast, up to 2 inches per month, and weigh up to 20 pounds.
Is a triploid carp sterile?
Diploid grass carp can reproduce in rivers and reduce aquatic plants important to many fish and wildlife species. A triploid grass carp has an extra set of chromosomes, which makes it sterile. Today, most states that allow grass carp stocking into impoundments require triploid grass carp to be stocked.
Do triploid grass carp eat algae?
Grass carp will eat algae if preferred plants are not available, but this is not a recommended control strategy. More details on grass carp are available in Pond Facts #10: Using Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Plants . Water additives are also sold to reduce algae growth.
Do grass carp eat algae in a pond?
What eats grass carp in a pond?
They are not without predators as largemouth bass, otters, birds, etc. readily prey on small grass carp. Stocked fish should be at least 12 inches long to help avoid predation and provide plant control.
How many grass carps are needed for a 1/2 acre pond?
2 fish per acre for slight plant infestations (< 30% plant coverage of pond during the peak growing season-primarily August through September) 5 fish per acre for moderate plant infestations (30 – 60% plant coverage of pond during the peak growing season-primarily August through September)
