Where Can I Buy Grass Carp For My Pond __EXCLUSIVE__
The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is one of the largest members of the minnow family, commonly reaching weights in excess of 25 pounds. Native to the rivers of eastern China and the Soviet Union, it has been introduced into over 50 countries worldwide due to its uncanny ability to control a wide variety of aquatic plant species. Although grass carp are related to both common carp and goldfish, distinct differences exist both in appearance and feeding habits. Grass carp lack the barbels and spiny dorsal and anal fin rays characteristic of goldfish and common carp, bearing a closer resemblance to a large creek chub or common shiner. Coloration of the fish ranges from dark grey to golden brown on the back, blending to white on the belly. Grass carp feed strictly by grazing on aquatic vegetation and do not share the bottom feeding habits typical of common carp and goldfish.
where can i buy grass carp for my pond
Although fertile (diploid) grass carp have seen widespread use abroad, the majority of states in the US presently prohibit the fish. This is due to concerns over the potential impact fertile grass carp could have on sensitive aquatic habitats should uncontrolled reproducing populations of the fish become established. In New York State, use of diploid grass carp is prohibited!
In 1983, US grass carp producers began production of a sterile (triploid) form of grass carp, mitigating the reproductive concerns associated with the diploid fish. Triploid grass carp are created through shocking grass carp eggs immediately after fertilization with either hot or cold water. This temperature shock results in the retention of an extra chromosome set, rendering the fish incapable of producing viable young. With the exception of this extra chromosome set, triploid grass carp are identical to their diploid counterparts. Triploid grass carp are the only form of grass carp legal in New York State.
DEC approves and issues permits for stocking up to 15 United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) certified triploid grass carp per surface acre for aquatic plant management purposes in ponds five (5) acres or less in size, which lie wholly within the boundaries of lands privately owned or leased by the individual making or authorizing such treatments if:
Triploid grass carp are a new and exciting aquatic vegetation control available to New York pondowners. However, as with any method of vegetation control, triploid grass carp must be used properly to achieve optimal results. The following stocking recommendations should assist you in getting the most out of the fish you purchase.
Triploid grass carp have distinct feeding preferences, preferring tender, succulent plant species over those that are tough and fibrous. Triploid grass carp will not control emergent species such as cattail or bulrush or floating leaved species such as water shield or water lily. Even among preferred submergent plant species, selectivity and consumption rate varies widely according to a vast array of factors including water temperature, dissolved oxygen and presence or absence of attached algae.
Triploid grass carp are extremely potent plant consumers. If overstocked, they are capable of eradicating all plants from a pond for periods exceeding 10 years. Besides the obvious impact such complete plant removal will have on vegetation-dependent fish and wildlife, total devegetation of a pond can also result in the development of severe algae blooms, foul smells and an overall decline in water clarity. To minimize or prevent such adverse impacts, plant populations should be maintained at approximately 20-30% of the pond's surface area.
Due to various factors that impact triploid grass carp feeding, it is impossible to precisely predict the exact number of fish to stock to achieve the 20-30% plant coverage target. The only way to prevent excessive plant control is through use of an incremental approach. This approach involves the stocking of triploid grass carp at the stocking rates suggested below, followed by a two-year waiting period for the fish to achieve maximal control. Then, if needed, more fish are added in small increments at two-year intervals until plant populations are reduced to the 20-30% threshold. Remember, be patient. Plant control with triploid grass carp is a slow process. However, once control is achieved, it will last a number of years. If more rapid control is desired, other plant control methods such as mechanical harvesting or chemical applications can be integrated with triploid grass carp use.
Plant control with triploid grass carp is most successful when the fish are stocked just as plants begin growing in the pond (late spring). Stocking of fish during the late summer, when the pond is already clogged with vegetation often leads to unsatisfactory results. The high water temperature and low dissolved oxygen typical in weedy ponds during this period can result in a substantial loss of grass carp.
Online application system for Permit to Stock Triploid Grass Carp coming soon! Applicants may submit permit application and make payment with debit/credit card or pay by check. Target date for the triploid grass carp permit component is March 2020. For information please email ifpermits@tpwd.texas.gov or call 512-389-4444.
Triploid grass carp is a sterile (non-reproducing) form of grass carp. This fish is primarily a plant-eater and is a relatively inexpensive and effective biological tool to control some, but not all, species of nuisance aquatic vegetation. A permit is required to possess, transport, and stock triploid grass carp in public or private water per the regulations in the Texas Administrative Code.
Before deciding to stock grass carp, it's important to identify the vegetation you want to control. Grass carp are effective for bushy pondweed, American pondweed, and hydrilla. Grass carp are not effective for bulrush, filamentous algae (pond scum or moss), water primrose, coontail, Eurasian milfoil, or cattails.
Notice of Permitting Agreement It is the responsibility of the applicant to read and understand the information provided on triploid grass carp regarding the record-keeping, stocking guidelines, preventing escape, and permitting information.
Approval of the application is not guaranteed. Applications will be reviewed by a department representative, and stocking of triploid grass carp may not be authorized in environmentally sensitive areas where threatened, endangered, or unique species occur. Please allow up to four weeks for the review of your application.
The link below includes a list of individuals/companies permitted to sell triploid grass carp in the state of Texas. Out-of-state companies delivering/selling triploid grass carp in Texas must be permit holders.
Holders of triploid grass carp permits for pond stocking may travel outside the state to purchase triploid grass carp from lawful sources in another state, provided the fish are accompanied on import into Texas by an aquatic product transport invoice and documentation that the grass carp have been certified as triploid by the grass carp Inspection and Certification Inspection Program operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Permits are valid for 36 months from the date of issuance, or until all grass carp authorized by the permit have been purchased/stocked, whichever occurs first. A permittee may purchase fewer carp than the total quantity permitted; the remaining quantity may be purchased prior to the permit expiration date of 36 months from the date of issuance but cannot be purchased/stocked after the permit expires.
Triploid grass carp should be 10-12 inches long when stocked. Smaller carp are likely to escape or be eaten by predator fish such as catfish or bass. Notify the aquaculture vendor if large catfish or bass are present in the water body.
Early spring is the ideal time to stock. To enhance the effectiveness of triploid grass carp, overabundant vegetation can first be reduced by winter die-off, herbicide treatment, or water-level drawdown to promote grazing on re-growth.
With few exceptions, the best screening device for nearly all outlet types is the horizontal parallel steel-bar design. The orientation of the bars allows unrestricted passage of small debris, thereby minimizing maintenance, clogging, and flooding concerns. Bar thickness of - to - inch is preferred. Round bar stock will facilitate debris passage. For a spillway barrier (Figure 1), the horizontal bars are attached to vertical support posts (minimum -inch diameter) spaced 4 feet apart. Horizontal bars should be spaced 2 inches apart. The barrier should span the entire spillway. Since triploid grass carp are excellent jumpers, barrier height should extend 2 feet above the normal high-water level.
IDENTIFICATION: Triploid grass carp are an elongated, torpedo-shaped fish with a terminal mouth and no barbels. They are dark olive to brownish yellow in color and have large scales along the length of their body.
Grass carp are a non-chemical alternative for aquatic weed control. Aquatic plants are beneficial to pond and lake ecosystems, but they can easily overpopulate and become a nuisance for the landowner.
Since grass carp cannot reproduce in ponds and lakes, they are an excellent biological control agent. They can only affect the impoundment during their individual life span. They are usually most effective after their first growing season until around age eight. Due to this growth period, weed decline is usually not apparent in a pond until the end of the second year, depending on the number of fish stocked.
The Department recommends combining control agents if an overabundance of aquatic plant growth restricts impoundment use. To gain immediate control, spot treat the nuisance plants with a herbicide and stocking of grass carp at a rate appropriate to the estimated reduced percentage of plant coverage in the lake to prohibit the return of the offensive growth. 041b061a72