Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations 3 acre pond question

I put 2 grass carp in it. How long should it take till I start seeing the moss cleaned up off the bottom. Will the clean up hurt the catfish?

Putt

Putt,

I hate to tell you but if you are expecting grass carp to eat algae aka moss off the bottom you may be disappointed. That is not their preferred food and in fact in my experience they will only eat it if they are absolutely starving, which is very unlikely.

Talipia would be a better choice.
Here's the thread: http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000269;p=4

Ric, What source did you use to obtain Talipia?

I want to try some in a 3.5 ac. pond in coastal Brunswick Co., NC.

You are going to need a lot more than 2 grass carp to see a difference. They are interesting eaters and prefer native aquatic vegetation over anything else. They will only eat your algae as a last resort. I'd call your dnr and get a recommended stocking amount per acre in your state.

Ric,
I don't know if I have the most ignorant tilapia in the world but, they sure are catchable, I didn't use them as bait tonight but, I fed them tomatoes. Get a can of Dole pineapple chunks, no sinker, and cast to them. I had a kid over the other day, caught 10 in short order using a bamboo/cane pole, bobber and cabbage. He never moved, just stood there catching MY FISH! Every fruit and veggie I throw they eat.

Ric,

I didn't realize you were such a fan of Tilapia. I guess that means they have passed the tried and true test. Well, we finally agree on something.

Ric,
I did not know they were legal in NC. I have a client there so where is source?

Greg, Cooter,
Here's a couple of sources for Tilapia:

Foster Lake & Pond Management
Wake county
(919) 772-8548
(919) 662-7856 fax
mitch@fosterlake.com
183 Donmoor Ct.
P.O. Box 1294
Garner, NC 27529
Species: black crappie, bluegill & hybrid bluegill, bream, blue tilapia, channel catfish, fathead minnow, triploid grasscarp, hybrid striped bass, large-mouth bass, redear(shellcracker)

Garland Fisheries
Orange county
(919) 732-4253
2711 Ode Turner Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278-9257
Species: bream, tilapia

Rad,
That's good to know!

I didn't start this thread, just recommending to PuttPutt that Tilapia might be a better choice than Grass Carp for "moss" algae removal & I was quoting Ed Richter.
NC State recommends blue & redbelly Tilapia:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/nreos/wild/fisheries/weed_mgt/grasscarp/bio_control.html