Silver Carp

Asian Carp Overview	Bighead Carp
Common Carp	Silver Carp
Grass Carp	Black Carp

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Silver carp are the only species of carp that jump from the water when startled by boat noise. They have had cameo appearances in many YouTube videos recently, most notably in the Illinois River where they now dominate entire stretches of the river.

Silver carp eat by filtering plankton from the water, and often swim in schools near the surface. These fish were imported to control algae growth in ponds, and are grown as a food fish. Government agencies have studied silver carp and used them for cleaning city sewage treatment ponds.

Statistics:

Maximum length is approximately 40 inches
Maximum weight is around 100 pounds

For more information:

USGS Silver Carp Fact Sheet
USGS Fact Sheet: Bigheaded (Silver and Bighead) Carp
Minnesota DNR Asian Carp Page

Silver Carp

USGS/Auburn University