Duane C Chapman (Former Employee)

Black Carp ( Mylopharyngodon piceus ) is the largest of the four non-indigenous carp species, reaching sizes well in excess of 100 pounds. CERC scientists, in cooperation with federal and state partners, are studying the biology, ecology, and behavior of black carp and developing tools to monitor, assess, and control this non-indigenous species.

Grass, bighead, black, and silver carps spawn in turbulent rivers and their eggs develop and hatch while drifting downriver. The larvae also have a short period of developing in the drift, and then they must swim from the river and find appropriate low- or no-flow nursery areas. Rivers which are not long enough, turbulent enough, or without nursery areas in the correct locations are not likely to...

Bighead carp ( Hypophthalmichthys nobilis ) and the closely related silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) (together, the bigheaded carps) and black carp ( Mylopharyngodon piceus ) are rapidly expanding in numbers and distribution in the Mississippi and Missouri River basins.

The ability to track fish such as invasive Asian carp is critical in characterizing their habitat, use and movement, spawning locations, feeding habitats, overwinter refugia, and general movement patterns. We anticipate that a UAS-based approach for tracking fish that are radio-tagged will prove effective and used widely.