The Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a large minnow species native to Europe and Asia. It became an invasive species in the US when it was intentionally stocked here due to Europe’s affinity for it as a sport fish and as table fare. However, due to the bony nature of its flesh, Americans came to despise it, and it has spread almost nationwide unchecked (Nico and Fuller et al. 2018).
The Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a large minnow species native to Southeast Asia and China. They are an invasive species in parts of the US where they have been introduced as aquatic weed control, and have subsequently escaped. They are unique in that not all individuals are problematic, as sterile, triploid Grass Carp are frequently used as effective weed management.
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