Carp Culture

1
Carp Culture

• Dr. Craig Kasper

2
Introduction

• Possibly the oldest form of aquaculture in the
  known world.
• Currently the largest (2/3 of ALL fish production
  is carp)
• Three key species
• Grass Carp
• Silver Carp
• Bighead carp

3
Introduction

• Why carp?
• Eat low on the food chain.
• Tolerate poor water quality
• Adapt to both alkaline and acidic water!

4
Broodfish

• Broodfish should be selected at 2-4 years of age.
• Grown in ponds up to 1 to 10 acres (0.4 to 4
  ha).
• Stock males and females at 11 or 32
• Preferred Temperature 77F.
• Hormone injection (hCG) can be used to induce
  ovulation.
• Expect 250,00 eggs/quart of liquid during
  incubation.

5
Culture Methods

• Overall carp culture is similar to other warm
  water fish culture.
• Fry will go through a green water stage
• Densities of gt500,000 fry/a (1.25 million/ha) are
  possible!

6
Feeding

• Grass carp can be reared on plants alone, but
  also perform well on pellets.
• Bighead are eat detritus and zooplankton in the
  wild, but also take to pellets!
• Silver carp are primarily planktonivores.

7
Yield?

• Carp ponds often yield 2000-5000 lbs./acre
• Often sold live or whole on ice.

8
?
9
(No Transcript)
10
(No Transcript)