grass carp

fish

Also known as: Ctenopharyngodon idella

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a freshwater fish native to eastern Asia. It was introduced to North America in the 1960s and 1970s to control aquatic plants. Grass carp, along with other species like the bighead carp and silver carp, are collectively known as Asian carp in the U.S..12

While grass carp primarily consume aquatic plants, their invasive nature poses a threat to native ecosystems. Their overconsumption of vegetation can significantly reduce the availability of aquatic plants, impacting the food web. Efforts have been made to prevent their spread into sensitive areas like the Great Lakes, including the construction of electric barriers and investigations into physical separation of waterways.2

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Asian carp
The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), following their accidental introduction into waterways in the United States, are collectively referred to as Asian carp.
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The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), following their accidental introduction into waterways in the United States, are collectively referred to as Asian carp.
Read More

carp
Asian carp as invasive species
…referred to as Asian carp—the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)—were brought to North America during the 1960s and ’70s to control the growth of noxious aquatic plants, snails, and other pest organisms in ponds, fish
Read More
…referred to as Asian carp—the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)—were brought to North America during the 1960s and ’70s to control the growth of noxious aquatic plants, snails, and other pest organisms in ponds, fish
Read More