Habitat of Silver carp

 
 
Originally the silver carp originated in China, being one out four of the most cultured fish in China due to its quick growing rates as well as the hardiness to withstand harsh conditions. It was introduced to the United States in 1973 by a private fish farmer in Arkansas to control algae blooms in his ponds.   Shortly after 1973 there were at least twenty other farmers who were growing the Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in order to control algae blooms.  In 1980 the first reports of carp in the Mississippi river were filed. The fish were accidentally transferred into the Mississippi River System due to ponds being flooded out during heavy rains.  From there the population exponentially exploded, with its unique reproductive cycle it didn’t take long for this “garbage fish” to take over.  As shown by the map the silver carp have     
invaded the entire Mississippi river system as well as making their way up tributari
es that feed into the river.  There are many types of different species that also call the Mississippi home.  It is said that is houses over eight million different types of swans, geese and ducks, as well as numerous different types of fish the most important being catfish, used commercially as well as walleyes and suckers, which power the sport-fishing industry.  The number one primary producer in the Mississippi

Picture taken by USFWS Chris Olds

river is phytoplankton which is the source of food for mussels, many larval forms of fish as well as the silver carp’s main food source.  As you can see by the picture above they have not yet made their way to the Great Lakes, this is one of the largest concerns that is being faced especially after traces of carp DNA were found in Lake Michigan in 2009.               
 
Quick Facts: Carp Origin: China YEAR Introduced into US: 1973 by private fish farmer Reason for introduction: Control algae blooms in private fish ponds Who introduced it?: Private fish farmer How it got into the Mississippi river: Accidental: flooding of ponds http://fisc.er.usgs.gov/Carp_ID/html/contents.html

Origin of the silver carp

The dark red indicates where there have been high numbers of silver carp located

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