The bighead carp is a large freshwater fish native to the rivers of East Asia, particularly in the basins of the Yangtze River and Amur River. It can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds. This species is known for its distinctive large head and a mouth that is adapted for filter-feeding on plankton. Introduced to the United States in the 1970s for aquaculture, bighead carp have since become an invasive species in several waterways, including the Mississippi River system. Their rapid reproduction and feeding habits threaten native fish populations and disrupt local ecosystems.