Grass carp: a description of the fish, what it looks like and what it eats, where it lives and how much it weighs
White carp are ray-finned fish from the carp family. They are also known as herbivorous carp due to the fact that they feed exclusively on plant matter. This species lives in freshwater reservoirs, for example, in the Amur River basin and the rivers of China. As a food source, it is highly nutritious and rich in vitamins, which have beneficial effects on people's he alth. Read more about the characteristics of the fish below.
What does grass carp look like
Grass carp have many different nicknames, such as water cow, underwater mower and grass-eating carp. These names are not invented in vain; if you think about it, they accurately describe the habits of this fish and its diet.
Grass carp is an undemanding fish that easily adapts to new conditions. It does not need special care or separate feeding as long as there is a lot of vegetation in its habitat. If it does not receive food, it will simply feed on algae and continue to grow. This species is most popular with those who keep fish in private ponds due to its fast growth and ability to get rid of any unwanted plants from the pond. An adult can consume up to 3 kilograms of grass or algae every day.
The origin of this species comes from the Far East, in the area of the Amur River. According to scientists, it used to be a predator, but it was difficult for it to compete with other predatory fish for food, so it switched to a plant-based diet.
He gets along well with other herbivorous inhabitants near his habitat, and can often be confused with black or Chinese carp. In Russia, this species is close to extinction, and in China, breeding farms of this particular species have been created.
Fish can be identified by some features:
- She has an elongated body with large scales, a short head and a small mouth without antennae.
- The operculum has circular stripes, two lines of teeth on the extreme gill, and serrated edges inside the pharynx with a slit along its chewing surface.
- The dorsal fin contains three hard and up to eight soft bones, while the anal fin consists of three hard and seven flexible rays.
- In addition, she has small fan-shaped fins at the beginning of her head with an inconspicuous notch at the tail.
- Color mostly greyish-green-silver or yellowish on back with golden or silver scales along flanks; the abdomen is usually white or yellow-gray in color, and the dorsal and caudal fins are darkly pigmented compared to other lighter fins.
- Bright yellow eyes with a black pupil in the center.
As for size, this species usually grows up to 100 cm in length, but can reach 1.5 m, and weight at full growth reaches 45 kg.
What does grass carp eat
Amur is easy to meet in large rivers, lakes, ponds and brackish waters. The menu of young grass carp consists of crustaceans. When these fish reach a length of 3 cm, they begin to feed on vegetation. They also occasionally consume small organisms.
The bulk of their diet is made up of aquatic plants such as cattwea, reeds and duckweed. Grass carp is commonly used to artificially colonize water bodies, as it is known to clear excess vegetation from the lake, which prevents algae blooms in the lake.
Amur is a voracious fish that has the ability to quickly process food thanks to the small intestine, which allows it to quickly gain weight and reach a mass of 2-4 kilograms during the year.That is why it is bred in artificial ponds. However, not getting enough food, it can consume its own eggs and larvae, or even prey on fry. To prevent this from happening, farmers who breed these fish must provide them with both special food and fresh grass.
How Amur breeds
The white carp has an active feeding cycle from spring to mid-autumn, and when the temperature drops to +10, it begins to hibernate. In the summer, it forms groups living among the vegetation, and it is not too picky about where to take food - on the surface of the water or on the bottom.
Fish are wary and will observe their surroundings before approaching food. If there is a loud noise, she will leave the habitat. The fish is able to take some time to find a suitable environment for themselves, and, once they get used to it, can become lethargic if the conditions do not meet their expectations.
Puberty occurs at the age of one to ten years, and this depends on climatic conditions. In regions further north, grass carp generally take longer to reach reproductive capacity than their southern relatives. Males are known to mature earlier than females.
In the Amur River area, females reach a breeding age of nine years and weigh six to seven kilograms. Those who live in more southerly climates may breed at four or five years of age and weigh five kilograms.
Male males show visible differences between the sexes in the form of a pale powdery material on their pectoral and dorsal fins, while females only briefly develop underdeveloped tubercles. Females also have an area around the anus that swells and turns pink as they mature.
Spawning in Chinese rivers occurs between May and August when the air temperature is between 18 and 26°C.In the Amur River, spawning occurs in early summer. During floods, the fish move upstream to their spawning grounds, where the females spawn during the morning and evening hours.
The eggs themselves have a diameter of 1.8-2.2 mm; old and large fish can produce more eggs than young ones. 15-16 year old fish 90-100 cm long can lay up to 16,000 eggs. Depending on the speed of the water flow, the eggs either sink to the bottom or are carried downstream. The fry hatch after 3 days when the temperature reaches 23-28°C. They stay close to the shore rather than swim into deeper waters feeding on zooplankton. In artificial reservoirs that do not provide suitable conditions for spawning, female fish start a process that destroys their eggs. This means they won't be able to breed for another year.
Is this species bred
Grass carp are highly versatile, making them a popular choice for stocking ponds.As a result, it is present not only in the Far East, but also found in ponds located throughout the European region of Russia and other countries of the Commonwe alth of Independent States.
Cupid is tolerant of temperature changes and does not mind low oxygen levels in the water. It survives well in both warm and cold water environments. Heating water to 30 degrees or more contributes to the rapid growth and reproduction of grass carp. During the winter months, its size does not increase significantly, however, it grows rapidly during the summer months.
White carp is not picky about food; it will consume any aquatic or terrestrial vegetation type. When the temperature rises, the appetite of the fish increases, as does the rate of weight gain. An adult cupid can eat food that weighs as much as he does every day. In a year, he can add from 1.5 to 6 kilograms.
With the onset of cold weather, their activity slows down, they stop actively feeding and fall into hibernation, lying down on mud pits, which helps them to protect themselves from freezing thanks to the layer of mucus that covers their bodies.Experienced fishermen use this sign to determine the location of the grass carp by the presence of mucus in the water during the spring season, when the fish emerge to the surface after hibernation.
How profitable is this
Those who are considering starting a carp farming business in Russia should take the time to consider the potential profitability of this venture.
Initial costs associated with the construction of a 50m² pond include:
- hiring an excavator for 16,000 rubles,
- providing suitable conditions for fish (PVC film, sand, vegetation, fence and bricks) for 30,000 rubles,
- purchase of equipment (oxygen compressor, filter and water sterilizer) for 60 thousand rubles
- plus additional items such as feeders and dividers for 200 thousand rubles.
The total cost of creating a pond and providing a he althy environment for fish is 308 thousand rubles.To start an enterprise, you will need to purchase 2,000 fry, which will cost about 10,000 rubles. Each year you will have to spend 18 thousand on electricity and food, as well as 6 thousand on advertising and fuel. Another 26,000 should be set aside for contingencies. This means that in the first year of doing business, you will need a total of 366,000 rubles.
In two years you can sell from 600 to 800 kilograms of uncut fish meat at a price of 210 rubles per kilogram, resulting in an annual income of at least 126,000 rubles. Subtracting annual expenses, including the cost of fry, you will be able to get 92,000 rubles in profit.
Even if sales are low, ROI will still be 73%. This means that all costs will pay off within four to five years.
During breeding, it is necessary to feed the fish with freshly cut hay so that they do not consume their own eggs when there is a lack of food sources.White carp can coexist peacefully in ponds with carp and other herbivorous species, but predators should not be “attached” to it, as this will adversely affect the population.
Useful and harmful properties
Meat of white carp is both tasty and nutritious, has numerous useful properties. When cooking this type of fish, it is best to use large specimens, as their bones are easier to remove. This type of fish can be cooked in various ways, such as boiled, stewed, fried or baked. Fillets make excellent meatballs and pies. Stuffed dishes are also he althy and look appetizing.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionThe meat of grass carp contains vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as important trace elements, including potassium, calcium and phosphorus. It also contains omega fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart he alth, brain function, and metabolic regulation; in addition, it helps to stabilize the digestive and nervous systems.Including fish in your diet is very useful for regulating and stabilizing a person's emotional state, reducing the risk of developing depression. With 134 calories per 100 grams, it is ideal for those trying to lose weight. It is recommended to use it by steaming, baking or cooking fish soup - all this will help keep the treat low in calories. Cupid is also useful for nursing mothers, as it provides the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals that are needed for recovery after childbirth, and also contribute to the growth and development of a newborn baby. As with any new food, it should be introduced gradually at first to see if the baby develops allergies.
Interestingly, grass carp liver has a pleasant taste and is even more nutritious than meat, making it a popular delicacy.
Eating grass carp is generally safe, but those with allergies and liver or digestive problems should use caution. In addition, it is important to cook the fish thoroughly to avoid the risk of parasite infestation.
Catching nuances
Only when the water temperature rises above 10°C, you can catch grass carp. When choosing a place for fishing, it is best to look for areas with an abundance of vegetation. It is recommended to watch the surface of the lake or river, as the fish rise up in search of food and make a splash, leaving rings on the water.
Cupid looks for food during daylight hours, but pecks better at dawn, when he is most hungry. It is characterized by timidity and is frightened of even small movements or sounds, so the bit should be thrown from afar. If the fish is grazing close to the shore, you should stay away and cast diagonally.
Don't cast the bait right away, as this may scare the fish. If there are no bites within 1-1.5 hours, it is worth using the bait. It is better to scatter it in different places, and then start catching on an unfed place.
Cooking tips
There are several ways to prepare grass carp, but the best taste is achieved when it is cooked in the oven. To do this, take the carcass of the fish and remove from it all the internal organs along with the spine. After washing it, spread with mayonnaise and spices, and chopped vegetables such as carrots and green beans are added on top. Once this is done, put the dish in the oven and bake. If desired, wrap the fish in foil and put a few slices of lemon on top.
Alternatively, if the chef is looking to make a rich dish, cupid is cut into equal pieces and then fried with soy sauce or fragrant fish spices.
And finally, one of the most delicious methods of cooking grass carp is barbecue. Tomatoes and eggplants are placed inside, and then the carcass is smoked in a cocktail bowl on the branches of fruit trees to get an unforgettable dish!
