<P> Silver carp have become notorious for being easily frightened by boats and personal watercraft , which cause them to leap high into the air . The fish can jump up to 2.5 -- 3.0 m ( 8 -- 10 ft ) into the air , and numerous boaters have been severely injured by collisions with the fish . According to the EPA , `` reported injuries include cuts from fins , black eyes , broken bones , back injuries , and concussions . '' . Silver carp can grow to 45 kg ( 100 lb ) in mass . This behavior has sometimes also been attributed to the very similar bighead carp , but this is uncommon . Bighead carp do not normally jump when frightened . Catching jumping carp in nets has become part of the Redneck Fishing Tournament , in Bath , Illinois . Other parties , such as the Peoria Carp Hunters , have taken advantage of the jumping ability as a mechanism of hunting the carp , in some cases to purge the invasive species . </P>
what causes asian carp to jump out of the water
being easily frightened by boats and personal watercraft