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Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
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THE CRIMES: Competes with native fish. Eats all the phytoplankton and zooplankton, fish and native mussels. Jumps out of water and smacks boaters and anglers when annoyed by boat motors. DESCRIPTION: Fish with low-set eyes and large upturned mouth without barbells. Has a head with no scales and body with very small scales. Can weigh more than 27 kg (60 lbs) and grow to over 1.2 meters (4 ft) long. Silver carp is one species of many referred to as Asian carp. The Interrogation
Where are you from?
American fish farmers brought me here
from China in the 1970s. They used me to clear algae from
fish-rearing ponds in Arkansas and Mississippi. Now I am
abundant in the Mississippi River watershed. I haven't invaded
the West Coast yet, but that doesn't mean I'm not trying!
How did you get here?
In 1993 the Mississippi flooded over
the catfish farms and I made my great escape. Each year
I have moved 50 miles up the Mississippi and Illinois River,
tearing fishing nets along the way, eating all the plankton,
scaring off native fish and generally taking over. Humans
are now shaking in their boots because I was spotted less
than 50 miles from Lake Michigan. I can be spread by humans
who use accidentally young carp as baitfish. I'm hoping to
hitch a ride with a human to the West Coast. I hear the Columbia
River may be good habitat for carps, and it is getting too
crowded here in the Mississippi.
What’s your problem?
As I invade a new area, I take over!
I can reach 1.2 meters (4 ft) long, weigh over 27 kg (60
lbs), and I can jump over 4½ meters (15 ft) high—Michael
Jordan, watch out! I’ve been known to slam into anglers
and boaters, letting them know who’s the boss. I
eat over 40% of my weight each day in plankton (tiny floating
organisms at base of the aquatic food chain) leaving
native fish scraping for food. I grow so fast and big that
I can easily escape from my predators. Once I reach the
Great Lakes or the Columbia River, I will easily take over
the territory, putting the hurt on native fish and leaving
commercial fishermen out of business. But I hear that there’s
trouble ahead because you humans are putting up some sort of barrier
to keep us out of Lake Michigan.
How can we control you?
In October of 2002, the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers worked with Sea Grant and many other water
management agencies to install an electric barrier under
the Chicago canal to keep us out of the Great Lakes. Anglers
and other aquatic enthusiasts ought to be careful when throwing
away bait so they don’t accidentally dump tiny baby
carp into the Great Lakes, the Columbia River, or any other
water body.
Reward:
The honor of protecting our water resources— A healthier environment
and more opportunities to enjoy our natural areas.
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