Effects of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on multiple trophic levels in shallow mesocosms

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J Parkos III ◽  
Victor J Santucci, Jr. ◽  
David H Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Common Carp ◽  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Channel Catfish ◽  
Suspended Solids ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Benthic Fish ◽  
Inorganic Particles ◽  
Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Carp Cyprinus Carpio

We examined the effects of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on shallow aquatic ecosystems and compared the effects with those of a native benthic fish, channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Experimental ponds contained enclosures (0.06 ha) with a low carp biomass (174 kg·ha–1), high carp biomass (476 kg·ha–1), high catfish biomass (416 kg·ha–1), and no fish. We measured abiotic factors (turbidity, suspended solids, total phosphorus), as well as effects on adjacent trophic levels (aquatic macrophytes, zooplankton, and aquatic macroinvertebrates) from July to September. Common carp was positively related to total phosphorus, turbidity, suspended solids, and zooplankton biomass, and negatively related to macrophyte and macroinvertebrate abundance. Suspended solids in the carp treatments consisted primarily of inorganic particles. Carp were either positively or negatively related to phytoplankton, depending on zooplankton abundance. A high biomass of carp had greater effect on nutrients, turbidity, and suspended solids than a low biomass. Channel catfish was positively related to total phosphorus concentrations and altered zooplankton composition, but did not affect turbidity, suspended solids, macroinvertebrates, and macrophytes. These results suggest that common carp have a stronger influence on water quality and aquatic community structure than benthic fish native to North America.

scholarly journals Behavioural Response of Juvenile Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Juvenile Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) to Strobe Light

Fishes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaewoo Kim ◽  
Caitlyn Bondy ◽  
Catherine M. Chandler ◽  
Nicholas E. Mandrak
Keyword(s):  
Common Carp ◽  
Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Ictalurus Punctatus ◽  
Channel Catfish ◽  
Light Stimulus ◽  
Strobe Light ◽  
Invasive Fishes ◽  
Common Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Carp Cyprinus Carpio ◽  
Physical Barriers

The movement of fish can be regulated by behavioural manipulation through non-physical barrier systems. Aquatic invasive species are becoming one of the major management issues in North America, and threaten native aquatic ecosystems, including freshwater fish. Placements of non-physical barriers in waterways can help disrupt the movement of invasive fish. This study examined the effect of a strobe-light stimulus on the avoidance behaviour of two proxy species, juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), in a controlled laboratory environment. For each species, three sequential treatments of pre-stimulus, strobe-light stimulus, and post-stimulus for 30 min periods were recorded on acclimated groups of 5 juvenile common carp and 5 juvenile channel catfish using 15 and 13 replicates, respectively. The distribution of juvenile common carp individuals throughout the tank did not change significantly with treatment, nor did cohesive grouping behaviour. Similarly, there were no significant differences across experimental treatments in average location/distance of juvenile channel catfish relative to the strobe light or degree of cohesion in response to the strobe light. Non-physical barriers have been widely reported to vary between species and environmental conditions. These results suggest that strobe lights evoke no avoidance or attractive responses in juvenile common carp and juvenile channel catfish, and will likely not be an effective barrier to inhibit movements of juvenile invasive fishes.

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