Asian Carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

There are five species of Asian carp that can be found in Louisiana: silver carp, common carp, bighead carp, black carp, and grass carp. Asian carp are often seen leaping out of the water and can potentially injure boaters. These species compete with native filter feeding fish and shellfish. They disturb bottom sediments and uproot native aquatic vegetation when feeding. This behavior leads to turbid water that prohibits growth of submerged vegetation and can negatively affect fish reproduction. These fish disturb habitat and also threaten populations of a variety of fish species, native snails, and mussels.