Carping about carp in the L.A. River
Atwater Village resident James Omahen started a new blog today, The Atwater Village Enquirer on valleynews.com.
Omahen tells us that carp can grow to 5 feet, weigh up to 80 pounds, and can live for more than 60 years. They spawn more than rabbits, laying 300,000 eggs at a time. They eat everything, the bottom feeders, even their own eggs and young. Here's the carp entry on Wikipedia.
A colleague here joked that he hoped dogs don't go missing ...
Omahen writes ...
Over the past few weeks, large numbers of sizable fish have been seen thrashing about in the LA River near Atwater Village - referred to as the Glendale narrows. Reports thus far have identified them as carp, and that they are spawning. Much to the surprise and delight of many, comments have ranged from, "that's great," to "it's really becoming a river once again." Even the pessimists are buzzed how terrific it is that there are fish in the LA River.Fish in the river - more specifically that's carp in the river, and that may not be so good. Although the carp have not yet been identified as to type, carp generally have a reputation as an invasive species to established ecosystems - invading and quickly dominating new ecosystems often with serious negative effects. They are also known for prolific reproduction and very rapid growth.
Comments
If only these gluttonous omnivore whoppers would develop an appetite for old shopping carts, plastic bags, and tires – then the river would soon become a much cleaner and more beautiful place! And if you have a small dog and are down at the river, best to keep it on a leash.
Posted by: Jim Omahen | April 20, 2007 09:05 AM