How to Use Grass Carp to Treat Water Primrose
Water Primrose is a freshwater, aquatic plant that grows in ponds and lakes. Although the plant offers some benefits to fish by providing food and preventing algae growth, it is invasive and will quickly overtake the surface of the water. This is particularly a problem for boaters. While there are aquatic chemicals that kill water primrose, they contaminate the water and kill other desirable plants. An alternative is releasing grass carp, which eat Water Primrose. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Wait until the early spring, once the water has thawed completely and the temperatures rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Obtain sterile grass carp from a hatchery and have them delivered to your pond, lake or water site. You will need 15 grass carp fish for every one acre of water primrose that you want to eliminate. Purchase carp at least 8 to 10 inches long to prevent larger fish in the water from eating them.
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Look at the water and identify areas with the highest Water Primrose growth. Take the carp to that area by either transporting the delivery tank to the shore or placing them into a boat and paddling to the area.
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Open the tanks and dump the grass carp into the water directly in the areas of Water Primrose infestation.
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Tips & Warnings
Because grass carp must be sterile, the hatcheries must be certified to sell them. To locate a certified hatchery, contact the United States Department of Natural Resources.
It can take between two and three years for the grass carp to effectively control the water primrose growth.
Only use grass carp in ponds or lakes that are self-contained, otherwise the carp will swim out and escape.
The grass carp will control the water primrose for 8 to 10 years before you must restock the carp.
