CHAPTER VII. 



ENEMIES OF THE CARP HOW TO DESTROY THEM. 



One of the great essentials to successful carp culture in their protection 

 against their enemies, which are legion. It is riot within the province of 

 this work to enter into a detailed description of each of these enemies, but 

 simply to point out the most destructive of them, and provide the remedy 

 for their extinction. Giving an outline of the natural history with illus- 

 trations of those, with which the general reader would be least familiar. 

 It is only through a knowledge of these enemies that we can successfully 

 combat them. Many of these enemies are dangerous only to the eggs and 

 young fish, while others attack even the largest of carp. But it is among 

 the young that danger and loss are greatest. The eggs and young fry 

 being much sought after by other fish, bugs, larvae, etc. 



The first in the list of destroyers we must place the carp itself. That 

 the spawners will prey on their own eggs and young is not disputed. It 

 is also true that in mixed culture, where the spawners are nof by them- 

 selves, that those not spawing will join in the work of eating the eggs and 

 young. This may be largely overcome by furnishing them plenty of other 

 food; but the better plan is to catch the eggs on evergreen or willow 

 branches and remove them to a small improvised pond, where they re- 

 main until large enough to get out of the way or protect themselves. If 

 in a regular hatching pond remove the spawners when their work of 

 spawning is done. 



Among the domesticated fowls geese and ducks allowed access to the 

 pond become the most persevering and inveterate of fishers, and it is 

 really surprising how large a fish they will catch. If too large to swallow 

 whole they will none the less hang on until they take a piece of the body 

 or tail with them. The maimed fish, if it lives, is subject to disease and 

 liable to spread it among the other fish. Carp and these fowls cannot be 

 all successfully raised in and on the same water. In ponds of shallow 

 water the hog quickly learns to fish successfully, and must be debarred 

 the water privileges of the fish pond. The access of cattle and horses to 

 tlie pond is not injurious. 



WATER SNAKES 



Are very hard on young carp, and each snake will require from 

 25 to 40 young fish a day to satisfy his appetite. During the summer 

 of 1883 Dr. Rud. Hessel killed at the Government carp ponds at 

 Washington, D. C., 1,050 snakes, almost every one had young carp in 

 their stomach. Similar reports come from many culturists. The remedy 

 is an active shot-gun policy: use fine bird shot. In the list of active 

 reptile, and animal enemies of the carp may be included roaches, crawfish 



