The silver carp is a freshwater fish, a variety of Asian carp native to north and northeast Asia. They were introduced to North America in the 1970s to control algae growth in aquaculture, and spread from their containment ponds into the environment. They are considered a highly invasive species and by 2003 had spread into tributaries of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers.

The silver carp is also called the flying carp for its tendency to leap from the water when startled. They can grow to over 40 lb., and can leap 10 ft. in the air. Many boaters traveling in uncovered high-speed watercraft have been injured by running into the fish while at speed. In 2003 a woman jet-skiing broke her nose and a vertebra colliding with a silver carp and nearly drownedMaclean's Apr. 17 2006 pg. 39.

While the fish is edible, it is not a common food fish because of its strong taste and large number of small bones.

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