Survey of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) in the San Jacinto River, Brays Bayou and White Oak Bayou

A survey of the grass carp in the San Jacinto River, Brays Bayou, and White Oak Bayou was conducted in 1997 and 1998. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected from Brays Bayou, White Oak Bayou and the San Jacinto River. Adult grass carp were collected from Brays Bayou in 1997 and 1998 and from the San Jacinto River in 1998. Ichthyoplankton samples were examined for grass carp eggs and larvae. A total of 309 larvae from 7 families and 302 eggs were collected but none were grass carp. Stomach contents from the adult grass carp were examined for aquatic vegetation and blood was collected in order to determine ploidy. The attempt to determine what the stomach contents were failed due to the digestive enzymes in the gut of the grass carp. The DNA of the adult grass carp was aneuploid when compared to a known diploid and a known triploid grass carp.