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Grass
Carp
The
grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, also known
as the white amur, was imported into Alabama and Arkansas,
from eastern Asia in 1963 to control aquatic vegetation.
The grass carp has been reported to eat 45 kg (99.2
lbs) of vegetation a day! In Asia, grass carp usually
occupy large rivers, but also thrive in ponds and rice
fields. Although some say the flavor of the flesh of
the grass carp has a strong algal flavor, the market
for the fish as food is high in some areas. Grass carp
are known to compete for food with invertebrates such
as crayfish, and other fish species, and causes significant
changes in phytoplankton, invertebrate communities,
interfere with reproduction of other fish, modify habitat
by destroying vegetation and water quality, and much
more. Grass carp can grow to be about 4 ft. and 40-50
pounds.
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