FISH
COMMON NAMES SCIENTIFIC NAMES
P Asian Carp (silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, black carp, also common carp) Hyopophthamichthys molitrisx, Hypohthalmichthys nobilis, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Mylopharyngodon piceus
DESCRIPTION - Silver and bighead have scaleless heads with lowset eyes and upturned mouth. Others have darker scales; adults can be > 60 pounds. HABITAT - Quiet waters, usually shallow lakes, ponds, rivers impoundments, channels, and sand pits. LOCATION IN NEBRASKA - Silver and bighead carp found in the Missouri, Platte, and Elkhorn rivers. Grass carp found in the Missouri River. Common carp found throughout Nebraska. PATHWAY OF I NTRODUCTION AND SPREAD Personal aquarium dumping, escape from aquaculture pens, bait bucket release, the live seafood trade, ship ballast water dumping, and other activities. Fish species are frequently introduced intentionally for recreational sportfishing. IMPACTS - Most carp are filter feeders that compete with larval fishes, paddlefish, bigmouth buffalo, and freshwater mollusks. Boaters have been injured by jumping silver carp. Black carp consume almost exclusively mussels and snails which may further threaten imperiled native freshwater mussels. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Unused bait or bait packaging should not be released into the water. Put it in a plastic bag and throw away in the trash. Be aware of any bait regulations, because in some waters, it is illegal to use live bait. Do not release or put fish into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water. Do not dump your aquarium contents into natural areas, storm drains, or flush them. Donate them, give them away, or ask your local pet store for advice. Otherwise, put unwanted aquarium fish in a plastic bag and throw away in the trash. Nebraska Aquatic Invasive Species Pocket Guide
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