Carp CultureCarp CultureDr. Craig KasperDr. Craig Kasper

IntroductionIntroduction

• Possibly the oldest form of aquaculture in Possibly the oldest form of aquaculture in the known world. the known world.

• Currently the largest (2/3 of ALL fish Currently the largest (2/3 of ALL fish production is carp)production is carp)

• Three key species:Three key species:– Grass CarpGrass Carp– Silver CarpSilver Carp– Bighead carpBighead carp

IntroductionIntroduction

• Why carp?Why carp?

• Eat low on the food chain.Eat low on the food chain.

• Tolerate poor water qualityTolerate poor water quality

• Adapt to both alkaline and acidic water!Adapt to both alkaline and acidic water!

BroodfishBroodfish• Broodfish should be selected at 2-4 years of Broodfish should be selected at 2-4 years of

age.age.• Grown in ponds up to 1 to 10 acres (0.4 to 4 Grown in ponds up to 1 to 10 acres (0.4 to 4

ha).ha).• Stock males and females at 1:1 or 2:3Stock males and females at 1:1 or 2:3• Preferred Temperature 77Preferred Temperature 77°°F.F.• Hormone injection (hCG) can be used to induce Hormone injection (hCG) can be used to induce

ovulation.ovulation.• Expect ~250,00 eggs/quart of liquid during Expect ~250,00 eggs/quart of liquid during

incubation. incubation.

Culture MethodsCulture Methods

• Overall carp culture is similar to other Overall carp culture is similar to other warm water fish culture.warm water fish culture.

• Fry will go through a “green water” stageFry will go through a “green water” stage

• Densities of >500,000 fry/a (1.25 Densities of >500,000 fry/a (1.25 million/ha) are possible!million/ha) are possible!

FeedingFeeding• Grass carp: can be reared on plants alone, but Grass carp: can be reared on plants alone, but

also perform well on pellets.also perform well on pellets.

• Bighead are eat detritus and zooplankton in the Bighead are eat detritus and zooplankton in the wild, but also take to pellets!wild, but also take to pellets!

• Silver carp are primarily planktonivores.Silver carp are primarily planktonivores.

Yield?Yield?

• Carp ponds often yield 2000-5000 Carp ponds often yield 2000-5000 lbs./acrelbs./acre

• Often sold live or whole on ice.Often sold live or whole on ice.

??

More on carp...More on carp...

• Grass carp are a member of the Order Cypriniformes and Family Grass carp are a member of the Order Cypriniformes and Family Cyprinidae. Cyprinidae is the largest family of freshwater fish species Cyprinidae. Cyprinidae is the largest family of freshwater fish species and includes all the minnows and carps.and includes all the minnows and carps.

• Grass carp: Native to Asian rivers, but Grass carp: Native to Asian rivers, but stocked widely across the US.stocked widely across the US.

• Occasionally, carp will be named after the Occasionally, carp will be named after the Amur River (“white amur, river amur, amur Amur River (“white amur, river amur, amur fish, etc. as a marketing tool.)fish, etc. as a marketing tool.)

Diploid vs. Triploid?Diploid vs. Triploid?

• Normal grass carp have 48 chromosomes (diploid or 2N Normal grass carp have 48 chromosomes (diploid or 2N chromosome number.)chromosome number.)

• Sterile grass carp are heat or cold or pressure.Sterile grass carp are heat or cold or pressure.

• The resulting fish are triploids (3N) because each cell The resulting fish are triploids (3N) because each cell has an extra set of chromosomes.has an extra set of chromosomes.

• Triploids are infertile.Triploids are infertile.

Eggs/Fertilization/HatchingEggs/Fertilization/Hatching

• Grass carp spawn naturally only in rivers Grass carp spawn naturally only in rivers with high water flows and appropriate with high water flows and appropriate temperature.temperature.

• Pond spawning does not take place.Pond spawning does not take place.

Feeding/GrowthFeeding/Growth

• Grass carp consume vegetation intermittently at Grass carp consume vegetation intermittently at temperatures as low as 37 oF (3 temperatures as low as 37 oF (3 ooC).C).

• They eat steadily at 50 to 60 They eat steadily at 50 to 60 ooF (10 to16 F (10 to16 ooC), C),

with optimal consumption at temperatures with optimal consumption at temperatures between 70 and 86 between 70 and 86 ooF (21 and 30 F (21 and 30 ooC).C).