Importance of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for Controlling of Aquatic Vegetation

Abstract

Aquatic plants are beneficial and a necessary part of lakes and reservoirs. Also, some kind of plants are the main food source for aquatic animals. Plants are able to stabilize sediments, improve water clarity and add diversity to the shallow areas of lakes. On the other hand, overgrown plants can become a nuisance by hindering human uses of water and threaten the structure and function of diverse native aquatic ecosystems. This chapter aims to make analysis of using of grass carp to control aquatic vegetation. In this concept, origin and distribution, biological features, reproduction, feeding behaviour and effects of grass carp on aquatic plants, water body and sediments are also discussed.

Regionally divergent patterns of grass carp relative abundance, feeding habits and trophic niches in the subtropical Pearl River basin

“…Sun et al (2018) reported that grass carp favoured soft, low-fibre underwater aquatic macrophytes with high protein contents and ate fewer macrophytes with high flavonoid contents. Grass carp also feed on aquatic floating species and terrestrial plants (Bozkurt et al 2017;Chilton and Muoneke 1992). When the supply of macrophytes is low, adult grass carp are able to use other food sources, e.g.…”

“…When the supply of macrophytes is low, adult grass carp are able to use other food sources, e.g. animal prey, when available (Bozkurt et al 2017;Bakker 2011, 2012). In our study, grass carp in the Pearl River also frequently fed on Arthropoda, Mollusca, Rotifera, and Ascomycota (Fig.…”

“…Grass carp in the central delta had a higher gut fullness, fed on the highest proportion of Streptophyta and occupied the smallest isotopic niche among the carp in the three sampling regions. Such regional differences likely occur because grass carp are opportunistic feeders that prefer plants (Bozkurt et al 2017;Bakker 2011, 2012) and change their feeding habits with the varying availability of edible macrophytes among regions. The higher dominance of Streptophyta in the diet of the central delta population than in those of the upstream populations was probably caused by the higher abundance of macrophytes in the central delta.…”

Assessments of some trace metals in water samples of nursery pond of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Valenciennes, 1844) in Bannu Fish Hatchery of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…In temperate areas of the USA, grass carp mature when reached at 4 to 5 years (Cudmore and Mandrak, 2004). Males usually mature one year earlier than females at 500 to 860mm in total length (Bozkurt et al, 2017). Size at maturity is generally 500-860 mm in total length (TL) (Bogutskaya et al, 2017).…”

Effects of Water Temperature on Growth Criteria of Fingerlings of Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes, 1884)

“…Masser (2002) stated that when desirable vegetation is unavailable, grass carp fingerling feeds on insect larvae, other invertebrates, and even small numbers of fish fry, while in culture conditions, juveniles feed on pelleted diets and continue to consume this diet throughout their lives. Bozkurt et al (2017) stated that grass carp exclusively feed on aquatic plants consuming 2-3 times their weight every day.…”