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Patrick Kroboth

Patrick is a Research Fish Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.

Patrick has been a fish biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center since 2017 with research emphasis on invasive fish species, specifically Black Carp, Bighead Carp, Grass Carp, and Silver Carp. This research includes development of methods to improve capture, early detection, and control, and study of habitat use and movement. His prior experience ranges across lotic and lentic aquatic ecosystems studying recreational and commercial fisheries, invasive species, and threatened and endangered species.

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, 2014

  • B.S. in Fisheries Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, 2010

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • 2022: Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species

  • 2007-present: American Fisheries Society

Science and Products

Black Carp Photo Gallery

Black Carp Photo Gallery

Invasive Carps Photo Gallery

Invasive Carps Photo Gallery

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Black carp

Black Carp Biology, Assessment, and Control

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.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center
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Black Carp Biology, Assessment, and Control

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.
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Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) mouth gape and size preference of a bivalve prey

These data represent the measurements of length and mouth gape from large juvenile and adult wild-caught and small juvenile hatchery origin black carp, and the results of laboratory size preference trials with bivalve prey, specifically Corbicula clams. Wild-caught black carp ranged from 429-1580 mm total length, a larger range than measured in previous studies. Corbicula feeding trial data consis
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Age estimates of captured Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) using four calcified structures, 2017-2019

A total of 236 Black Carp were collected throughout the year from 2017-2019 by incidental captures of commercial fishers and biologists. Capture date, river basin of capture location, and coordinates were recorded for each Black Carp captured. A subsample of 119 Black Carp varying from 429-1268 millimeters total length were compared for the precision of annuli counts by two experienced readers for
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Size, attachment material and efficacy of piscicide delivery vials and baits for control of black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus

A piscicide delivery method was designed to selectively target black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, an invasive species in North America which possesses specially adapted pharyngeal teeth for crushing mollusk prey. Bait was prepared by attaching a glass vial containing toxicant (antimycin A) to the exterior of Corbicula fluminea clam valve. The vial was designed to break by the force exerted from th
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Capture method, habitat, length, and diet items consumed by wild-caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in the Mississippi River Basin, 2017-2019

An inventory (enumeration and taxonomic identification) of diet items consumed by wild-caught black carp, based on the examination of gut contents from fish that were collected in the lower Mississippi River drainage of the U.S.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Survival of grass carp and black carp gavaged with an oral dose of antimycin A in two carriers, corn oil and ethanol

The data consists of survival, length and weight of grass carp and black carp gavaged with an oral dose of antimycin A in two carriers, corn oil and ethanol.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Microchemistry demographics and development data from wild caught black carp in the Mississippi River basin, 2011-18

Data consists of ploidy, otolith stable isotope analysis and microchemistry, age, weight, sex, length and geolocation data from wild caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) captured in the Mississippi River basin from 2011 through 2018.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Pallid sturgeon seasonal habitat selection in a large free-flowing river, the lower Mississippi River, 2009-2015-Data

The data was collected at two lower Mississippi River sites and consists of year round pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus capture attributes (including habitat type at capture location) from 116 telemetry-tagged fish and habitat area estimation for the sites.
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Columbia Environmental Research Center

Diet items consumed by wild-caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in the U.S.

An inventory (enumeration and taxonomic identification) of diet items consumed by wild-caught black carp, based on the examination of gut contents from fish that were collected in the lower Mississippi River drainage of the U.S.
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center

Black carp and grass carp morphometric measurements

Black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella are morphologically similar species imported from eastern Asia to North America as biological control organisms. Preferred identification methods are coloration and pharyngeal tooth form. Grass carp possess serrated teeth and black carp molariform teeth. Examination of pharyngeal teeth causes extensive damage to a specimen,
By
Columbia Environmental Research Center
Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin
Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin
Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin
Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

An infographic highlighting a study finding that black carp, which are an invasive fish species in North America, are now known to be established in the wild in parts of the Mississippi River basin. The infographic was created by the USGS. The USGS was one of the study’s co-authors and the research was led by Southern Illinois University.

By
Columbia Environmental Research Center, Communications and Publishing
Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

Infographic on Black Carp in the Mississippi River Basin

An infographic highlighting a study finding that black carp, which are an invasive fish species in North America, are now known to be established in the wild in parts of the Mississippi River basin. The infographic was created by the USGS. The USGS was one of the study’s co-authors and the research was led by Southern Illinois University.

By
Columbia Environmental Research Center, Communications and Publishing
A map of black carp observations in the Mississippi River basin reported to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin
Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin
A map of black carp observations in the Mississippi River basin reported to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.

Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin

Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin

A map of black carp observations in the Mississippi River basin reported to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database as of November 30, 2022. This map is not a complete representation of species abundance or distribution. These data include incidental captures by the public and reports from federal and state agencies.

By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Communications and Publishing
A map of black carp observations in the Mississippi River basin reported to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.

Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin

Black Carp Observations in the Mississippi River Basin

A map of black carp observations in the Mississippi River basin reported to the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database as of November 30, 2022. This map is not a complete representation of species abundance or distribution. These data include incidental captures by the public and reports from federal and state agencies.

By
Ecosystems, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Communications and Publishing

Precision of four calcified structures for age estimation of Black Carp

ObjectiveBlack Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus is an emerging invasive species in North America with an expanding population in the Mississippi River basin. Current aging methods use a suite of structures for age estimation, and a single structure is needed to minimize processing time, to maximize consistency of age and growth measurements, and to allow for back-calculation of individual fish length a
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Anne Marie Herndon, Cortney Cox, Jesse Robert Fischer
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Ingested toxicity of antimycin A to grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus in two carriers

Toxic baits are a potential control mechanism for nuisance carps, but rotenone-based baits for grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella have been ineffective. Failures have been attributed to the palatability of rotenone because innocuous training pellets are readily consumed prior to provision of piscicide baits. Several studies suggest antimycin A, a common alternative piscicide, typically applied dir
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Duane Chapman, Jeffery Steevens, Curtis G. Byrd
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Invasive black carp as a reservoir host for the freshwater mollusk parasite Aspidogaster conchicola: Further evidence of mollusk consumption and implications for parasite dispersal

Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has invaded the Mississippi River and is a potential threat to native mollusks. During prior diet research, we discovered that the fluke Aspidogaster conchicola, a mollusk parasite, occurs regularly in the gastrointestinal tract of Black Carp. The fluke remains in fish intestines for extended periods after the fish has consumed its host. Flukes were found in 33%
Authors
Barry C. Poulton, Jennifer Bailey, Patrick Kroboth, Amy E. George, Duane Chapman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Characteristics for the external identification of Black Carp from Grass Carp

Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus and Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella are morphologically similar species native to eastern Asia and imported to North America as biological control organisms. Preferred identification methods are coloration and pharyngeal tooth form. Grass Carp possess serrated teeth and Black Carp molariform teeth. Examination of pharyngeal teeth causes extensive damage to a sp
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Duane Chapman, Robert A. Hrabik, D.A. Neely
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center

Black Carp in North America: A description of range, habitats, time of year, and methods of reported captures

Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus are considered invasive in North America. Since the first wild capture in 2003, collection records have increased, yet information summarizing successful collection methods is lacking. Reported capture methods throughout the Black Carp's native and introduced ranges vary providing minimal aid for determining control and monitoring methods. Here, we describe the cu
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Cortney Cox, Duane Chapman, Gregory W. Whitledge
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center

First examination of diet items consumed by wild-caught black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in the U.S.

Black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) were imported to the U.S. in the 1970s to control snails in aquaculture ponds and have since escaped from captivity. The increase in captures of wild fish has raised concerns of risk to native and imperiled unionid mussels given previous literature classified this species a molluscivore. We acquired black carp from commercial fishers and biologists, and examined
Authors
Barry C. Poulton, Patrick Kroboth, George Aiken, Duane Chapman, J. Bailey, Stephen E. McMurray, John S. Faiman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center
Invasive black carp established in parts of the Mississippi River basin

Invasive black carp established in parts of the Mississippi River basin

Black carp, which are an invasive fish species in North America, are now known to be established in the wild in parts of the Mississippi River basin.

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Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government