A laboratory evaluation of tagging-related mortality and tag loss in juvenile humpback chub
We quantified tag retention, survival, and growth in juvenile, captive-reared Humpback Chub Gila cypha marked with three different tag types: (1) Biomark 12.5-mm, 134.2-kHz, full duplex PIT tags injected into the body cavity with a 12-gauge needle; (2) Biomark 8.4-mm, 134.2-kHz, full duplex PIT tags injected with a 16-gauge needle; and (3) Northwest Marine Technology visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags injected under the skin with a 29-gauge needle. Estimates of tag loss, tagging-induced mortality, and growth were evaluated for 60 d with each tag type for four different size-groups of fish: 40–49 mm, 50–59 mm, 60–69 mm, and 70–79 mm TL. Total length was a significant predictor of the probability of PIT tag retention and mortality for both 8-mm and 12-mm PIT tags, and the smallest fish had the highest rates of tag loss (12.5–30.0%) and mortality (7.5–20.0%). Humpback Chub of sizes 40–49 mm TL and tagged with VIE tags had no mortality but did have a 17.5% tag loss. Growth rates of all tagged fish were similar to controls. Our data indicate Humpback Chub can be effectively tagged using either 8-mm or 12-mm PIT tags with little tag loss or mortality at sizes as low as 65 mm TL.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2015 |
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Title | A laboratory evaluation of tagging-related mortality and tag loss in juvenile humpback chub |
DOI | 10.1080/02755947.2014.986345 |
Authors | David L. Ward, William R. Persons, Kirk Young, Dennis M. Stone, Randy Van Haverbeke, William R. Knight |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | North American Journal of Fisheries Management |
Index ID | 70140681 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Southwest Biological Science Center |