Ohio tests more than 1,000 grass carp from state dealers

October 30, 2018

Grass carp from a seller for testing. The carp are usually packaged by dealers in this way and then placed into boxes for safe transport and transfer into ponds. Photo courtesy of Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Asian carp have a bad reputation, and rightfully so. These species of non-native carp can disrupt ecosystems and negatively impact local native fish populations. However, one species of non-native carp, the grass carp also called the white amur, can be useful to private pond owners in Ohio for control of aquatic vegetation. It is imperative that only sterile grass carp, incapable of reproducing, are brought into Ohio.

Grass carp, as suggested by the name, are herbivores and primarily feed on rooted aquatic vegetation, but will also consume floating vegetation or algae in lesser quantities. If left unchecked, rapid growth of aquatic vegetation could limit quality fishing opportunities in small ponds. For that reason, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife allows sterile fish to be sold here in Ohio.

To prevent the spread of grass carp to areas where they do not belong, the grass carp are bred to be sterile before they are offered for sale. In an effort to ensure only sterile grass carp are available for purchase by the public in Ohio, the Division of Wildlife purchased and tested 1,200 grass carp from 16 different dealers over a two-year period. Happily, after testing, all 1,200 fish were found to be sterile. Remember that grass carp should never be released in public waterways.