Lets say I have access to a 4 acre 'private' pond that I would like to introduce some carp to. This pond has a solid ecosystem with lots of small bass, bluegill, catfish, turtles, mussels,cat tails, vegetation,etc...

First, where could one purchase some Israeli carp at? I have access to a very large aqaurium to possibly raise some in.
I know some people use them as baitfish so you must be able to get them somewhere...

Second, what do you think the survival rate would be if I relocated some fish from Grapevine?

Third, how does one differentiate male and female carp? LOL

I think with some time and a little effort this place could be turned into a very nice swim.

First, I have not found a supply of Israelis in Texas. And I looked for the same reason. The OK guy out near texoma stopped selling em too. Let me know if you do find some.

Second I think if its close and you do it in winter they'd be fine. Plus I think it would help the population in the Vine to be thinned out a bit if they are going to a good use. I have a stock tank that fits in a truck if you need to use it. We can take the boat out and cast net some if you wanted to.

Third, males have bigger fins but leaner bodies usually. Females have about 2/3 of their mass below the lateral line. The "torpedo" carp and normally male. The plumper looking ones are normally female. this is not scientific but its a good guideline.

This is even more accurate out in East Texas.

LMAO!!!

haha

So, Denison Dam no longer sells Israelis?

No I called them and they said they don't anymore. I heard a rumor there was a disease affecting them and the price went up as well as the fear factor. Most stores will not sell them anymore. If you find out different let us know.

I read the same thing online...there was a disease that a lot of the Israeli's got in some fisheries and it was being spread to stocked waters...they seem rather hard to come by now.

Someone on CAG just posted a link a month ago for a place out of Missouri or somewhere similar that sells Israeli carp

There are a few places in Missouri that sell Israeli Carp, or Common Carp for that matter, fro stocking but it seems a long way to haul them.

I found this link while looking for places to buy stock for my new lake (in Missouri):

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/documents/fish/aquaguides/fishstock.pdf

And here is a link from the Missouri Department of Conservation to really pi$$ some of you off! (Look at the comment under the picture of Common Carp!)

http://www.mdc.mo.gov/areas/stlouis/fish/pond/stocking/

Kevin

If you relocate the fish from Grapevine try to catch them with a cast net (or some other type of net) then put them in your tank to settle them down. After they settle down try to move the tank outside and wait about a day for the fish to get used to the temperature outside. Then realease them into your lake. You may want to do this severale times to have a higher chance of the fish surviving and becoming adults.