Black carp

Indigenous to China, the black carp is a voracious fish, accidentally introduced into the wild, although originally imported for commercial fish ponds. The black carp grows to a length of up to three feet, and over 70 pounds, generally feeding on snails and mussels. Although aquaculture officials state that the carp are safe in captivity, and bred to be sterile, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service have reported three black carp caught in the Mississippi River. Black carp have also been caught along the Ohio River and Red River in the United States. To prevent further import, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service restricted trade in black carp, and placed the fish on an "injurious species list".