What is an Asian Carp?
There is a little bit of confusion around this issue. Generally when people talk about Asian Carp, they mean two closely related species: Bighead Carp (scientific name Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (scientific name Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). These are the invasive species that are spreading throughout the Mississippi River, and are now threatening to enter the Great Lakes through the Chicago Canal system. Silver Carp are notorious for jumping. Bighead Carp do not jump (at least as often). Some people are using the term Bigheaded Carp to replace Asian Carp. In each instance, they are talking about the same two species.
