Grass Carp 2-3"

Grass Carp

The grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, is a large, herbivorous, freshwater fish species of the family Cyprinidae native to eastern Asia, with an original range from northern Vietnam to the Amur River on the Siberia-China border. This Asian carp is the only species of the genus Ctenopharyngodon. It is cultivated in China for food, but was introduced in Europe and the United States for aquatic weed control.

The grass carp is a fish of large, turbid rivers and is very common in UK fisheries, with a wide degree of temperature tolerance. Our UK-bred Grass Carp are perfect for outdoor ponds and will help to keep problem weeds, such as blanketweed and string algae, under control. They should not be considered as a complete solution for weeds however, more of a heavy grazer.

Please be aware that the image is for illustration purposes only. We are unable to guarantee the exact size, colour, sex or age of the assorted grass carp you are purchasing.

Why are they called Grass Carp?
Grass carp have been introduced into fisheries worldwide in places like New Zealand and Holland, to control the growth of aquatic plants. They are extremely prolific at eating weeds, grass and greenery, hence the name.

Are Grass Carp bad for ponds?
On the whole, grass carp are a rewarding species to keep in your outdoor garden pond, although they can become a little troublesome because they can grow very large and will feed on all types of vegetation. This can often include ornamental pond plants, which can be a little limiting for pond keepers once established. Grass carp do help to control problem weeds, which is positive if you are looking to maintain clear water.

Features
Approx. supplied size: 5-7cm / 2-3"
Maximum size: can grow up to 200cm in lakes
Origin: AsiaFamily: Cyprinidae
Ideal number kept together: 1+

Water Conditions
Our conditions: pH 7.5, temp 12 °C
Water flow: low to fast
Ideal temperature: 2–30 °C

Ease of Care
Easy to moderate. Will tolerate varied water conditions. Grass carp will grow quite large, so you must ensure that your pond has enough space and decent depth to accomodate.

Compatibility
Grass carp will happily live with other carp and coldwater species, but avoid smaller goldfish or minnows who may potentially be swallowed-up (often by accident) by larger specimens.

Diet
Grass carp will graze mainly on vegetation and insects in the pond, but will also take a mixture of algae pellet, wafer, fish flake and general pellets. To achieve growth, feed a high-protein pond pellet. When it gets colder you can feed them Wheatgerm, however, do not feed them below 10°C.

Breeding
Egg layers, readily farmed in captivity. Grass carp enter reproductive condition and spawn at temperatures of 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F). In the wild, grass carp spawn in fast-moving rivers, and their eggs, which are slightly heavier than water, develop while drifting downstream, kept in suspension by turbulence. The eggs are thought to die if they sink to the bottom.

Life Span
Grass carp can live 5-10 years in perfect conditions.

For more information on general fishkeeping and our shipping procedures click here.