Invasive bighead and silver carp may face obstacles in river systems.
Adult bighead and silver carp were studied to understand their swimming abilities in the Upper Mississippi River. Using a large swim tunnel, researchers found that both species can swim at speeds similar to native fish but slower than younger bigheaded carps. Bighead carp get tired faster than silver carp when swimming at high speeds. This information can help assess how these fish navigate manmade river structures like lock-and-dams.