Grass Carp,  Ctenopharyngodon idella

 
Physical Description: 
�	Elongate, cylindrical body 
�	Forked tail fin
�	Terminal mouth; narrow, rounded snout
�	Tubercles present on head, dorsal fin, and pectoral fins
�	Olive-brown back

Similar species: 
�	Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 500-900 mm total length 

Habitat:
�	Ponds and warm, large rivers, backwaters, and coves

Distribution in VA:
�	Native to Asia, introduced in Virginia
�	One fish caught in the Potomac river

Food Habits:  
�	Largely aquatic plants 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1-11 years in wild populations
�	Spawning occurs May to June in water at 18-23�C
�	Migrate to spawning areas in large rivers with strong currents; does not occur in ponds or lakes
�	Eggs drift and hatch in current
�	Fecundity is 10,000-1,276,000 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Often used for aquatic weed control
�	Damages aquatic habitat for many fish species
�	Introduced fish supposed to be sterile, but many are reproducing
�	Hatchery-raised fish from Loanoke, Arkansas

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

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