The Growth of Grass Carp

Ponds stocked with grass carp feature fewer aquatic weeds.

Many pond owners use grass carp, known as white amur, to keep their ponds free of invasive aquatic weeds. Grass carp, members of the minnow family, eat just about anything green, allowing them to quickly grow to a large size.

Eating Habits

Grass carp eat pond weeds as well as greenery alongside ponds, if they can reach it. In the summer, the fish can eat 100 percent of their weight each day.

Rate

If they can find sufficient vegetation, grass carp can grow 2 pounds or more per month during warm months. Young fish grow faster than older fish, with females growing more quickly than males.

Life Span

Since grass carp often live to an age of 10 years, they get bigger as they get older. Some grass carp get as big as 50 to 60 pounds by the end of their lives. According to the University of Florida, the largest reported grass carp weighed 75 pounds.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Using Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Plants
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Grass Carp: A Fish for Biological Management of Hydrilla and Other Aquatic Weeds in Florida; David L. Sutton and Vernon V. Vandiver, Jr.; 2006
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Chinese Grass Carp

Resources

• Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission: Pond Owner's Guide to the Use of Triploid Grass Carp