AquaExtension

06/01/2026

What a great way to end the week, we had a blast!

05/19/2026

Not every “pond hack” on the internet belongs in your waterbody.

From cinnamon for duckweed to random “miracle cures” mixed in a 5-gallon bucket, social media is packed with DIY aquatic plant advice that ranges from ineffective… to actively harmful.

Aquatic plant management is rarely one-size-fits-all. Correct identification, water use restrictions, dissolved oxygen risks, fisheries impacts, timing, nutrient dynamics, and treatment area all matter before anything goes in the water.

Sometimes the “cheap fix” ends up costing more than the original problem. 🌱💸

05/15/2026

Selective breeding in aquaculture works a lot like it does in agriculture and livestock production. Researchers identify fish with desirable traits such as faster growth, improved survival, better feed efficiency, and greater tolerance to environmental stress, then use those fish as future broodstock to strengthen the next generation. 🧬

Last month, the AquaExtension team visited North Carolina State University’s Pamlico Aquaculture Field Laboratory, where striped bass have been selectively bred for up to seven generations. Over time, programs like this can improve production consistency, resilience, and hatchery performance while helping producers adapt to changing environmental conditions.

At AquaExtension, we are now exploring how similar genetics-based approaches could help improve red drum production in Texas, especially for traits like cold tolerance following severe winter losses experienced by producers in recent years.

We cannot wait to share more from our time at PAFL and give a behind-the-scenes look at the hatchery systems, spawning operations, selective breeding strategies, and research collaborations shaping the future of U.S. aquaculture.

05/14/2026

Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., was appointed chair-elect of the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef during the organization’s general assembly meeting.

05/11/2026

After two years of “Are the aquatic plant ID cards coming back?”, we finally get to say: YES. 🌿⁠
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The newly revised 2026 Aquatic Vegetation Identification Cards are officially available.⁠
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This updated edition includes 59 aquatic plant species/groupings commonly found in Texas freshwater habitats and continues a resource originally created by Dr. Masser in the early 2000s with help from many of the legends in the aquatic plant world.

The new revision also includes detailed line drawings generously gifted to our program by Charles Stutzenbaker, a Texas A&M graduate, Texas Parks and Wildlife retiree, and author of several aquatic plant and waterfowl books.

The cards include:
✔️ High-quality field photos⁠
✔️ Line drawings for quick comparison⁠
✔️ Floating, submerged, emergent plants & algae⁠
✔️ Durable coil-bound design for field use⁠
✔️ Designed for real-world identification in Texas waters⁠
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Whether you’re training new employees, scouting ponds, or teaching workshops, these cards were built to go where muddy boots go. ⁠
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Link in our bio or go to tx.ag/IDCards for product listing ⁠
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05/06/2026

AbstractObjective. The Striped Bass Morone saxatilis is an emerging cultivar in the United States due in large part to its rapid growth rate and the abilit

05/06/2026

Lake Austin just called in reinforcements…

More triploid grass carp are being stocked in Lake Austin to help tackle hydrilla, one of the most aggressive invasive aquatic plants out there.

But before you go stocking fish like you’re building an underwater army, here’s the reality:

👉 Grass carp can be an effective biological control tool, especially for tender, submerged plants like hydrilla
👉 They are sterile (triploid), meaning they won’t reproduce if they escape
👉 They can consume 40–300% of their body weight per day under ideal conditions
👉 BUT… they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution and may take time (and proper stocking rates) to see results

⚠️ In Texas, stocking requires a TPWD permit, proper barriers, and careful planning.

Grass carp can help tip the balance in your favor… but only if you understand what they will (and won’t) eat.

🔗 Want to know if they’re right for your pond? Start with the science (links in bio).

05/05/2026

Join us for the Aquatic Vegetation Herbicides & Application webinar on May 19th!
Dive into selecting the right product and applying with purpose (not guesswork).

💡 What you’ll get:
• Smarter herbicide selection (match the plant, match the goal)
• Application strategies that actually hit the target
• Tips to avoid costly misapplications and repeat treatments
• Real-world scenarios you’ll see in ponds across Texas (and beyond)

As a pond owner, if you are tired of throwing darts at aquatic weeds… this one’s for you.

1 GEN CEU for TX pesticide license holders who attend live.

🔗 Register now (link in bio) or visit tx.ag/AquaticHerbicides

04/21/2026

04/10/2026

Meet the plant that isn’t actually a plant…

Chara is a macroalgae that looks like a submerged plant, but don’t let it fool you. With its gritty texture, garlic-like smell, and whorled branchlets, it’s one of the most recognizable “imposters” in your pond.

You’ll often find it forming thick beds in clear, shallow water, especially in hard water ponds or newly constructed systems. It anchors with rhizoids (not true roots) and can quickly colonize before other species move in.

So… good or bad?
👉 Both.

The good:
• Stabilizes sediments
• Competes with nuisance algae
• Provides habitat for invertebrates
• Often signals good water quality

The not-so-good:
• Can form dense mats
• Interferes with fishing and recreation
• May limit plant diversity

Bottom line: Chara isn’t always the villain. Sometimes it’s just doing its job… a little too well.

📖 Want the full breakdown?
Check out the April AquaExtension Newsletter at the link in our bio.