U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Black Carp Invasive Species Program

What are black carp? externally by the color and the more in the United States for approxi- The black carp (Mylopharyngodon cylindrical form of the body, and mately 30 years, they have not been piceus) is a fish that inhabits large internally by the pharyngeal teeth. found in the wild. river and lake habitats and is native to most Pacific drainages in eastern Where are they from? What impacts would they have on our Asia at the same latitudes as the The black carp inhabits most of the aquatic habitats? United States. The black carp is also major waterways of eastern Asia. If black carp escape, or are released known as snail carp, Chinese black The natural range of black carp into the wild, they will likely survive carp, black amur, Chinese roach, or includes China, parts of far eastern and/or become established and may black Chinese roach. Russia, and possibly northern likely spread throughout the United Vietnam. States. A close Asian relative with What do they look like? similar reproductive requirements, Black carp is a blackish-brown fish How Did They Get Here? the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon with blackish-grey fins and an Black carp are currently being idella), has expanded into all of the elongated and laterally compressed maintained in research and fish lower 48 States except Montana and body. They can typically grow to production facilities in Arkansas, Vermont since its introduction into more than 3 feet in length and Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas and Alabama in 1963. weigh, on average, 33 pounds. The North Carolina, Oklahoma, and fish can reach 5 feet in length and Texas. This species originally Black carp are molluscivores weigh up to 150 pounds. Individuals entered the United States in the (mussel and snail feeders) but also of the species are known to live to at early 1970’s as a “contaminant” in eat freshwater shrimp, crawfish, least 15 years of age. Young black imported grass carp stocks. Addi- and insects. At all life stages, black carp are difficult to distinguish from tional introductions occurred in the carp will compete for food with young grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon 1980’s by fish farmers for yellow native species. If introduced or idella), another non-native species. grub control and as a food fish. established, black carp are likely to Adults may be distinguished Even though black carp have been have a considerable impact on native mussel and snail populations. If black carp become established in What are the negative impacts of this Native fish, turtles, birds, including North American ecosystems, their ruling? waterfowl, and vertebrates, such as feeding habits could drastically As part of the analysis conducted by raccoons, otters, and muskrats, are modify the ecological balance and the Service, a cost-benefit analysis likely to be affected through forever change our native aquatic was included. The data show that competition for food. systems. These changes would there is a trade-off between damage affect the aesthetic, recreational, avoided by not letting more black In addition to the threat of their and economic values currently carp into the U.S. and the economic predatory behavior and its resulting provided by native mollusks and benefits received by the sectors impacts, the black carp may also healthy ecosystems. Educational that sell and use this fish. The have other impacts on our aquatic values would also be diminished potential damage that could be ecosystems including: through the loss of biodiversity and done by black carp if they become ecosystem health. established in U.S. waters would Transfer of Pathogens—Black significantly outweigh their ben- carp host many parasites and What is the Service doing about black efits. flukes, as well as bacterial and viral carp? diseases that are likely to infect The mission of the Service is, For More Information sport, food, or threatened and working with others, to conserve, For more information, please endangered fish species. protect and enhance fish, wildlife, contact: and plants and their habitats for the Risk to Threatened and continuing benefit of the American U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered species—Black carp people. Under the authority of the Division of Environmental Quality, have the potential to negatively Lacey Act, the Service is in the Branch of Invasive Species affect threatened and endangered process of listing black carp as an 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 840 mollusks, fish, turtles, and birds injurious wildlife species. Essentially, Arlington, VA 22203 that rely on mollusks as a food this listing would prohibit the 703/358 2148 source. Based on its dietary habits, importation and interstate transport the black carp is likely to invade the of black carp. After analyzing http://contaminants.fws.gov/ habitat, feed on, and further scientific data, the Service deemed Issues/InvasiveSpecies.cfm threaten most of the federally listed that this action is necessary to protect freshwater mussels and about one- the interests of human beings, http://www.anstaskforce.gov third of the federally listed aquatic wildlife and wildlife resources from snails, as well as numerous potential the purposeful or accidental http://www.protectyourwaters.net candidates for Federal protection. introduction of black carp into the ecosystems of the United States. U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Florida Carribean Science Center 7920 NW 71st Street Gainesville, FL 32653 352-378 8181

http://www.fcsc.usgs.gov/

All users of our aquatic resources, whether for recreation or for aquatic related businesses and industries, should become knowledgable about the aquatic invasive species issue.

Recently, the FWS unveiled its new Stop Aquatic Hitchikers! social marketing and public awareness campaign that targets public awareness about the aquatic invasive species issue and empower recreational users to become part of the solution in preventing the spread of these species to affected waters, Stop Aquatic Hitchikers! is a national campaign that is a multi-organizational effort involving the entire conservation community. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service If you have Internet access and would like to learn more about this 1 800_344_WILD campaign, go to the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! web site, at: http://www.fws.gov

www.protectyourwaters.net July 2002