Triploid Grass Carp Stocking
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Thousands of tons of unnecessary chemicals are being dumped into lakes and ponds throughout the country each and every year. There is a natural, biological way to keep your pond clean and clear by using fish instead of expensive and toxic chemicals. The "Grass Carp", also call White Amur, is the affordable answer to non-chemical control of weeds and other aquatic plants which infest ponds and lakes, foul fishing hooks, choke outboard motors and hinder water sports. Grass Carp have been used for over 700 years for food and aquatic weed control in China. Their popularity has spread over many parts of the world; these fish are now used in more than 20 countries and at least 35 states in the U.S. Although it is called a carp, it is actually the largest species in the minnow family, and differs in appearance and habits from the common carp normally found all over the United States. The fish are native to climates ranging from cold to subtropical, and are able to withstand a wide range of water temperatures, salinity as high as 10,000 PPM and oxygen concentrations as low as .5 PPM. Grass carp may reach sizes in excess of 25 lbs. and live for 5-8 years or more, which makes them quite cost-effective, weed controllers. They won't bother your other fish; they're vegetarians! In 1981 researchers produced a sterile Grass Carp called "Triploid". Because of this, reproduction would be impossible for any Triploid Grass Carp that might escape into natural waterways.
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What is a Triploid Grass Carp?
In 1981, US grass carp producers began production of a sterile (triploid) form of grass carp, mitigating the reproductive concerns associated with the diploid fish. Triploid grass carp are created through shocking grass carp eggs immediately after fertilization with either hot or cold water. This temperature shock results in the retention of an extra chromosome set, rendering the fish incapable of producing viable young. With the exception of this extra chromosome set, triploid grass carp are identical to their diploid counterparts.
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Triploid Grass Carp Feeding Preferences
| Frequently Eaten |
Sometimes Eaten |
Rarely Eaten |
Brazilian elodea
Duckweed
Elodea
Hydrilla
Musk-Grass (Chara)
Pondweed
Slender Spikerush
Southern Naiad
Widgeon-grass |
Algae, Filamentous
Baby-tears
Bacopa
Banana lily
Bladderwort
Bog-Moss
Bulrush
Cattail
Coontail
Eelgrass
Fanwort
Hygrophila
Knotgrass
Limnophila
Maidencane
Naiad, Marine
Nitella (Stonewort)
Rush Fuirena
Soft rush
Southern water-grass
Spikerush
Strap-leaf sag
Water-meal
Water-shield
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Algae, Planktonic
American Lotus
Azolla (Mosquito fern)
Common Arrowhead
Duck-Potato
Frog's-bit
Para grass
Parrot's-feather
Pennywort (Dollarweed)
Pickerelweed
Red Ludwigia
Salvinia, Giant
Sawgrass
Sedges
Smartweed
Spatterdock
Taro (Elephant ear)
Torpedograss
Water Paspalum
Water-hyacinth
Water-lettuce
Water-lily |
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Fish Permits
Triploid Grass Carp are controlled by state permit in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The Pond Connection will complete all required permitting and geographical mapping for you. We will also deliver U.S. Wildlife inspected triploid grass carp with a 2 week guarantee.
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Triploid Grass Carp Stocking Rates
Triploid grass carp are extremely potent plant consumers. If overstocked, they are capable of eradicating all plants from a pond for periods exceeding 10 years. Besides the obvious impact such complete plant removal will have on vegetation-dependent fish and wildlife, total devegetation of a pond can also result in the development of severe algae blooms, foul smells and an overall decline in water clarity. To minimize or prevent such adverse impacts, plant populations should be maintained at approximately 20-30% of the pond's surface area.
Due to various factors that impact triploid grass carp feeding, it is impossible to precisely predict the exact number of fish to stock to achieve the 20-30% plant coverage target. The only way to prevent excessive plant control is through use of an incremental approach. This approach involves the stocking of triploid grass carp at the stocking rates suggested below, followed by a two-year waiting period for the fish to achieve maximal control. Then, if needed, more fish are added in small increments at two-year intervals until plant populations are reduced to the 20-30% threshold. Remember, be patient. Plant control with triploid grass carp is a slow process. However, once control is achieved, it will last a number of years. If more rapid control is desired, other plant control methods can be integrated with triploid grass carp use.
Recommended Initial Triploid Grass Carp Stocking Rates
Average Plant Density / Stocking Rate (# of fish per acre)
Low Plant Density / 5 fish per acre
Medium Plant Density / 10 fish per acre
High Plant Density / 15 fish per acre
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| Out flow screen |
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| Screening Recommendations for Ponds Stocked with Triploid Grass Carp
Screens should be constructed from rigid materials such as aluminum, steel or stiff plastic (PVC). Prefabricated fence materials such as chicken wire, should be avoided since they are prone to clogging and are likely to rust. Screening should be installed so that it covers the entire outlet opening. Since grass carp are excellent jumpers, screening height should extend 2 1/2 to 3 feet above the normal high water mark. Screening should be securely anchored to the pond bottom or outlet to prevent fish from swimming underneath or around it. Studies have shown that the mesh size of 1 1/2 inch is needed to prevent escape of 10 inch grass carp (which is the size typically sold in the area).
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