Grass carp question

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kearth

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 14, 2008
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WV
I recently bought a house which has a decent sized pond.

We have 3 large grass carps. We have heard that after the reach a certain size they no longer eat as much stuff.

Should re stock the pond with new grass carp?


We also just found a snapping turle about 12 inches long... Can he stay? They pond has a ton of fish in it. Bass ( large and small mouth) and some bluegills. Obviously he is not hurting too much, i kinda want him to stay.

What about red eared sliders? Can I add some without screwing up the fish population?

I feel like a newb all over again. :cry:
 
I would check on if grass carp are considered invasive species by West Virginia. Most states list them as invasive and prohibit the sale, transport or release of grass (also known as Asian carp). There are also federal regulations covering all species of Asian carp. Also red ear slider turtles should not be released anywhere they are not native. Too great a potential for them to migrate and reproduce, putting pressure on native species (may be illegal to release). IMO I would get rid of the 3 grass carp already in the pond. As far as the snapper- leave him there unless he get so big as to be a danger to children fishing- yes they can get that big. He will eat some fish but not all.
 
Opps I guess I should change that I live in Ohio now.

I will have to do some checking on the grass carp. They look different the the asian carps I have seen.

Thank you for the info.
 
The "white armur" is sold by many fisheries in Ohio. So while it may be classified as a "carp" I do not think they pose the same risk as the asian carp that the big hype is about ( which are do belive are the ones referred to as "silver Carp")

If they are being sold I do not think they are covered under the Lacy Act.

Almost every pond around here has a couple of them for plant/ algea control.

As for the sliders. I am just going to stick with the snappers that are in there.
 
Hello; An friend with a pond bought some carp several years ago. This was in KY. I believe they were called a grass carp. I met the truck at the local water treatment plant. Many were being released into one of the plants ponds to control algae. My friend got six for his pond for the same reason. These carp were not supposed to be able to reproduce at all. I picked them up in my truck and transported them to his pond. If I recall correctly, they were not quite a foot long. At least two have survived and are at least two plus feet. No offspring have ever shown up. Lots of brim, bass and catfish have spawned but not the carp.
 
Hello; An friend with a pond bought some carp several years ago. This was in KY. I believe they were called a grass carp. I met the truck at the local water treatment plant. Many were being released into one of the plants ponds to control algae. My friend got six for his pond for the same reason. These carp were not supposed to be able to reproduce at all. I picked them up in my truck and transported them to his pond. If I recall correctly, they were not quite a foot long. At least two have survived and are at least two plus feet. No offspring have ever shown up. Lots of brim, bass and catfish have spawned but not the carp.


I have also been reading that as well, that they are sterile and not able to reproduce. The three I have are aout 3 ft long. I seen a bunch of holes dug where I believe either the bass or blue gill are spawning.
 
i have seen this exact same circumstance in a friends pond. he has 3 grass carp and after 3 years or so, they are completely useless but he left them in his pond. they dont really bother anything they just look like small submarines swimming around when you see them lol. so if you dont mind them they wont really hurt anything.
 
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Any idea clue what these are?
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