Types: common, grass, bighead, silver and black carps
Black Carp
(Mylopharyngodon piceus) ![Common Carp](/peth04/20041118153614im_/http://www.umesc.usgs.gov/invasive_species/asian_carp/images/common%20carp_200.jpg)
Common Carp |
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All four of the Asian carps that
are established in the United States spread quickly after introduction,
became very abundant, and hurt native fishes either by damaging
habitats or by consuming vast amounts of food. Common and grass
carps destroy habitat and reduce water quality for native fishes
by uprooting or consuming aquatic vegetation.
Bighead and silver
carps are large filter-feeders that compete with larval fishes,
paddlefish, bigmouth buffalo, and freshwater mollusks (clams).
In addition, boaters have been injured by silver carp because
they commonly jump out of the water and into or over boats in
response
to outboard motors. Black carp, which consume almost exclusively
mussels and snails, may further threaten our already imperiled
native freshwater mussels should they become established. |