How long do triploid grass carp live?
Triploid grass carp are considered a natural method for controlling aquatic vegetation and macro-algae. They can live for many years (20 plus years in some cases).
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.
What is the lifespan of a grass carp?
between 10 to 20 years
Grass carp will not reproduce in ponds. The lifespan of grass carp is between 10 to 20 years. Grass carp will provide effective vegetation control for eight to ten years. Once stocked, grass carp are extremely difficult to remove from ponds.
How big can triploid grass carp get?
5 feet long
Grass carp can grow to nearly 5 feet long and weigh up to 99 pounds.
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.
What is the difference between diploid and triploid grass carp?
The key difference between diploid and triploid grass carp is that diploid grass carp is a fish species that possess two sets of chromosomes and is able to reproduce while triploid grass is a sterile fish species that possess three sets of chromosomes including an extra set of chromosomes.
Can you have too many grass carp?
Adding too many grass carp can be a problem. They are very difficult to remove, especially in larger ponds that cannot be drained down. After they reach about 18-24 inches, they get lazy. If you are feeding your pond with fish food pellets, the grass carp swoop in and open their mouths like big vacuum cleaners.
Are carp good for ponds?
Controlling aquatic vegetation with grass carp is one of the options available to pond owners with aquatic plant problems. In many situations, the use of grass carp is an economical, long lasting, and effective option. However, grass carp are not appropriate for every pond with abundant aquatic plants.
What do triploid grass carp eat?
Grass carp generally only consume submerged vegetation that has soft/tender, non-fibrous stems and leaves. Some common plants they will readily consume are hydrilla, elodea, bladderwort, coontail, najas, milfoil, potomegton spp. (pondweeds), chara, and nitella.
What is a triploid carp?
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.
How long does it take grass carp to clean a pond?
When using grass carp for aquatic plant control, a pond manager needs patience. The extent of control often does not become apparent until 18-24 months after stocking.
Is grass carp good for ponds?
Controlling aquatic vegetation with grass carp is one of the options available to pond owners with aquatic plant problems. In many situations, the use of grass carp is an economical, long lasting, and effective option.