Carp & Pond Fish Culture

Most ponds are stocked with fish.

Today's ponds are built for a number of reasons including aesthetics and retention purposes. When building a pond, the owner should be sure that their pond is stocked with fish to keep algae levels under control and to keep the pond clear of impurities. When stocking a pond, owners should be aware of the dangers that carp can present if they plan on stocking it with other types of fish.

Carp

There are a number of fish that can be classified as carp. Some examples include the grass carp, bighead carp, and the crucian carp and the silver carp. Carp typically weigh between 1 and 7 lbs. and are anywhere from 15 to 22 inches long. The carp is not indigenous to the United States; it's believed to be originally from East Asia. It was imported to the United States for fish farming purposes and eventually found its way into the natural environment.

Pond Fish

Owners will stock their ponds with a number of fish. The bluegill, the smallest and most popular pond fish, is often stocked in ponds with the purpose of being food for their larger neighbor, the largemouth bass. Ponds without largemouth will see stunted growth in bluegill, meaning that eventually they will all become the same size. Largemouth bass are used in ponds for the purpose of keeping a balanced population. Besides preying on bluegill, largemouth bass can consume other fish's offspring to control population. Catfish, the third most popular pond fish, grow very well in ponds but cannot reproduce unless special containers are put in the pond. Owners should not be concerned because largemouth bass will typically keep catfish populations under control.

Carp and Pond Fish Interaction

Carp are not good fish for ponds. In fact, owners should do everything in their power to keep carp from their pond. Carp bottom feeding activity makes a pond very muddy which is not favorable for pond fish development. On top of this, carp will be competitors for food sources in the pond. As long as only a few carp exist in a pond, a substantial largemouth bass population will keep carp under control. However, if enough live in your pond, bottom feeding and food competition alone allow carp to easily take over a pond.

Fishing

Both common pond fish and carp make excellent catches. Bluegills, typically weighing less than 1 lb., are tremendous fighters. However, the more popular sporting fish is the largemouth bass. In fact, many sportsmen specifically fish for only bass. One reason is that bass are very strong for their size and will jump out of the water when being caught.

Human Consumption

Typically all of these pond fish are great for consumption. Catfish is the most popular of these fish and often used in a number of American dishes. Carp, on the other hand, is rarely eaten in the U.S. When carp was first imported to the United States, it was a popular fish for consumption.

References

• University of Florida, IFAS Extension: Spring Viremia of Carp
• University of Wisconsin, Sea Grant: Carp
• U.S. Geologic Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species: Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix
• The Ohio State University, Ohioline: Fish Species Selection for Pond Stocking