The use of Grass Carp in the control of aquatic plants has many advantages such as:

• Eliminates vegetation cost effectively (cheaper than by herbicides or manually).
  
• It is safer and environmentally friendlier than control by chemicals and herbicides.
  
• As these fish live long they control vegetation over many seasons.

Factors to consider when using Grass Carp:

• Insecticides, herbicides, copper based algaecides and other chemicals are harmful to grass carp and other fish and should be used with extreme care.
• Grass Carp can be used effectively under a wide range of conditions.
• Grass Carp are difficult to catch on hook and line.
• Grass Carp tolerate a wide temperature range and climatic conditions. Their feeding behavior is however influenced by water temperature and season.
• They are selective feeders, favouring certain plant species. The aquatic plant community must be well understood and a stocking program designed accordingly.
• Grass Carp grow rapidly, reach a large size (15 kg.+) and are long-lived.
• Depending on the conditions 30 to 45 fish are usually stocked per hectare of water.
• Stocking too few fish will have little effect, while overstocking can eliminate plant cover completely, leading to turbidity and deterioration of water quality that can cause ecological imbalances.
• Grass Carp stocking can lead to water nutrification in closed systems through rapid circulation of nutrients tied up in water plants.
• Grass Carp will migrate out of water impoundments if given the opportunity. Inlets and outlets of the dam must be screened up to one meter high.
• Grass Carp could influence other fish species. Through correct management this influence can be used advantageously to promote the well being of other species.
• Bass, birds and otters can reduce fish numbers if stocked at an inappropriate size.
• During the first year after stocking, few fish will be seen and results will only be detected the second year.
• Grass Carp will not effectively controll algae, water hiasinth and some reed species.