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The Science of Triploidy in layman's terms: Diploid grass carp, as most fish, are capable of sexual reproduction. Triploid grass carp, however, have three sets of chromosomes and are incapable of normal sexual reproduction. Three sets of chromosomes are produced by physically shocking fertilized eggs with heat, cold, or hydrostatic pressure; thus stimulating the retention of a set of chromosomes that would normally be expelled during cell division. My opinion on stocking size: Large grass carp (12" and above) eat more than smaller ones. Small fish (less than 8") suffer high mortality due to predation by birds, snakes, and other kinsmen. Fish weighing less than 6.6 lbs (measuring up to about 24" in length) eat 100 percent of their body weight daily. Since TGC measuring above 12" is almost an impossibility to locate and purchase, this necessitates the stocking of smaller fish in the 8" to 12" range, sometimes in conjunction with the use of alternative controls. Stocking Calendar: Plant control strategy, water quality, and availability of fish determine when you should stock. If grass carp are used in conjunction with other control methods, they should be stocked after the treatments have done their jobs but before re-growth begins. Typically, your lake will look its worst around the end of summer, but water temperatures are still too warm to stock. I have found the cooler months of October-May are the easiest on the fish and are the best time for transporting and stocking. Since spring is the big "TGC Sale" time when the problem aquatic plants begin to emerge, availability may require patience on your part. My Stocking Equation: To achieve effective control of problem plant species, TGC must be stocked in sufficient numbers so that they eat more plant than the lake produces. Consumption and stocking rates depend on:
TGC are like children -- picky eaters who grow fast when their favorites are bountiful: Triploid grass carp efficiently
control and preferentially feed on some types of plants and avoid others as shown in the following
table. Avoided plant species are better controlled with alternate methods. Fiber content, which
varies among plant parts and plant species, significantly influences the plant's palatability.
Low-fiber plants are preferred, and stocking in spring allows TGC to feed on new growth of fibrous
plants. Water temperature affects feeding in the following ways:
feeding stops when the water
temperature reaches 52° F declines at water temperatures
above 86° F is optimum at water
temperatures from 68-86° F Where do I go from here: Lake owners may take plant samples to local
offices of the Agricultural Extension Service, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FFWC), or
Department of Environmental Protection for identification. Just put the sample
in a zip lock bag. If you prefer, I will come to your lake to have a look, either from the shore or
by boat. Once specific weeds are identified, then we will develop a plan like this:
Identify your problem plant(s) Determine if you should
eliminate or selectively manage aquatic plants
If using triploid grass carp,
contact the FFWC for a permit application or go to
FFWC
If there are inlets or outlets on
your water body, the FFWC will inspect and may require barriers to be installed. As you will
see on my barrier page, this is
a good thing.
Once the permit is obtained,
contact me for pricing and availability and to stock your lake with triploid grass
carp.
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