July 07, 2010 -- Bighead carp can grow to more than 100 pounds by feasting on plankton - food upon which every other fish in a body of water directly or indirectly depends.
Silver carp are slightly smaller, but they can be more disruptive to anglers - and boaters in general - because of their habit of jumping out of the water when disturbed by the whir of a boat motor.
These two types of Asian carp grow fast. If conditions are right they can consume up to 20% of their weight in plankton per day.
"They are aquatic vacuum cleaners," says Charlie Wooley, deputy regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "They will come in and clean out our native fish and sport fish."
But will plankton conditions be right in the Great Lakes? Read the full story to get the details.
