Bighead Carp
Hypophthalmichthyes nobilis

 

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Distribution: 
Nationwide 
Nebraska: in the Missouri River

Origin: 
Asia

Characteristics: 

Greenish in color with a large head, feed on phytoplankton in rivers and streams

Impacts: 

Have been found to school with paddlefish and compete with them as well as other baitfish for food

Management: 

Not much action is being taken to manage the Bighead carp in Nebraska, however, research is being conducted to further determine its impacts.

Bighead carp were first imported into the United States in 1972 by a private fish farmer in Arkansas who wanted to use them in combination with other phytophagous fishes to improve water quality and increase fish production in culture ponds.

    See also Common Carp for problems caused by carp.

For More Information on Bighead carp:
US Geological Survey
Bowfishing Assn. of Iowa