How to Control Duckweed With Grass Carp
Although water plants can be a valuable part of a fish aquarium or pond, they can also be a large inconvenience. Free-floating aquatic plants like duckweed can turn bright, clear ponds into a green, unattractive mess. Duckweed presents as small floating blobs of green, and can float through the water or accumulate at the sides of a pond. Instead of resorting to chemicals, try getting nature on your side by using grass carp to control duckweed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Research grass carp in your area by contacting your local Fish and Wildlife association. In some areas, owning grass carp requires a special license.
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Purchase your grass carp through a licensed retailer to ensure that you get healthy young fish. Buy young fish, since they will eat more duckweed as they grow. Keep in mind that although they are small when they're young, grass carp can grow to be up to 30 lbs. Buy only as many fish as your pond can support. Purchase grass carp in singles or doubles; it's easier to buy more later than to get rid of them if you overpopulate. Ask the retailer you're working with about how many grass carp you can keep in your pond.
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Release your young grass carp into your pond to start eating the duckweed. Keep in mind that the fish might devour all of the duckweed and run out of food. Watch the carp and supplement their diet with fish food as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a net to catch and eliminate excess duckweed from the sides of your pond if your grass carp aren't keeping up with the plant's blooming.
Adult grass carp are not as effective for the control of duckweed as young grass carp.
