The grass carp has been introduced throughout the world for aquatic weed control. The grass carp was considered for introduction into the U.S. primarily because of its plant-eating diet, which was thought to have great potential for the control of aquatic weeds.

Wide-scale use of the grass carp in Florida and many other states from 1970 to 1984 was limited and closely regulated due to fears about its reproduction and negative impact on sport fish. Since the grass carp’s potential for causing such problems was evident, early research focused on developing a fish that would be non-reproductive but would retain the grass carp’s herbivorous diet.

Research with the grass carp resulted in the production of a sterile triploid grass carp, which has an extra set of chromosomes. The triploid grass carp is produced in the same way as the diploid, except that fertilized eggs are subjected to heat, cold, or pressure shock result in the formation of fish with an extra set of chromosomes for a total of 72. The extra chromosomes make these fish sterile.

The grass carp is primarily a “grazer”; it tends to feed on the surface and in shallow water. The ability of grass carp to consume and utilize aquatic plants depends on the size of both plants and fish. Additional factors which influence the feeding behavior of grass carp include their size, age, gender, and population density, and the species, abundance, and location of plants within a body of water.

In Florida, a permit is required by law for the use or possession of grass carp. Only grass carp certified as triploid can be used in an aquatic weed management program. Allstate Resource Management recommends triploid grass crap in combination with a lake management program.

Speak with a lake management specialist on how we can develop a management program for your lake or pond!

 Contact Allstate Resource Management
 954-382-9766
 info@allstatemanagement.com