Carp Culture Dr. Craig Kasper

Introduction Possibly the oldest form of aquaculture in the known world.Possibly the oldest form of aquaculture in the known world. Currently the largest (2/3 of ALL fish production is carp)Currently the largest (2/3 of ALL fish production is carp) Three key species:Three key species: –Grass Carp –Silver Carp –Bighead carp

Introduction 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!

Broodfish Broodfish should be selected at 2-4 years of age.Broodfish should be selected at 2-4 years of age. Grown in ponds up to 1 to 10 acres (0.4 to 4 ha).Grown in ponds up to 1 to 10 acres (0.4 to 4 ha). Stock males and females at 1:1 or 2:3Stock males and females at 1:1 or 2:3 Preferred Temperature 77°F.Preferred Temperature 77°F. Hormone injection (hCG) can be used to induce ovulation.Hormone injection (hCG) can be used to induce ovulation. Expect ~250,00 eggs/quart of liquid during incubation.Expect ~250,00 eggs/quart of liquid during incubation.

Culture Methods Overall carp culture is similar to other warm water fish culture.Overall carp culture is similar to other 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 million/ha) are possible!Densities of >500,000 fry/a (1.25 million/ha) are possible!

Feeding Grass carp: can be reared on plants alone, but also perform well on pellets.Grass carp: can be reared on plants alone, but also perform well on pellets. Bighead are eat detritus and zooplankton in the wild, but also take to pellets!Bighead are eat detritus and zooplankton in the wild, but also take to pellets! Silver carp are primarily planktonivores.Silver carp are primarily planktonivores.

Yield? Carp ponds often yield lbs./acreCarp ponds often yield lbs./acre Often sold live or whole on ice.Often sold live or whole on ice.

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More on carp... Grass carp are a member of the Order Cypriniformes and Family Cyprinidae. Cyprinidae is the largest family of freshwater fish species and includes all the minnows and carps.Grass carp are a member of the Order Cypriniformes and Family Cyprinidae. Cyprinidae is the largest family of freshwater fish species and includes all the minnows and carps. Grass carp: Native to Asian rivers, but stocked widely across the US.Grass carp: Native to Asian rivers, but stocked widely across the US. Occasionally, carp will be named after the Amur River (“white amur, river amur, amur fish, etc. as a marketing tool.)Occasionally, carp will be named after the Amur River (“white amur, river amur, amur fish, etc. as a marketing tool.)

Diploid vs. Triploid? Normal grass carp have 48 chromosomes (diploid or 2N chromosome number.)Normal grass carp have 48 chromosomes (diploid or 2N 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 has an extra set of chromosomes.The resulting fish are triploids (3N) because each cell has an extra set of chromosomes. Triploids are infertile.Triploids are infertile.

Eggs/Fertilization/Hatching Grass carp spawn naturally only in rivers with high water flows and appropriate temperature.Grass carp spawn naturally only in rivers with high water flows and appropriate temperature. Pond spawning does not take place.Pond spawning does not take place.

Feeding/Growth Grass carp consume vegetation intermittently at temperatures as low as 37 oF (3 o C).Grass carp consume vegetation intermittently at temperatures as low as 37 oF (3 o C). They eat steadily at 50 to 60 o F (10 to16 o C), with optimal consumption at temperatures between 70 and 86 o F (21 and 30 o C).They eat steadily at 50 to 60 o F (10 to16 o C), with optimal consumption at temperatures between 70 and 86 o F (21 and 30 o C).