Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

Resource managers need effective methods to prevent the movement of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as a barrier and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences 2017, Vol.74 (3), p.297-305
Main Authors: Cupp, Aaron R, Erickson, Richard A, Fredricks, Kim T, Swyers, Nicholas M, Hatton, Tyson W, Amberg, Jon J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Carbon dioxide
Carp
Fish ladders
Freshwater
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
Injection
Lakes
Nonnative species
Ponds
River basins
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Summary:Resource managers need effective methods to prevent the movement of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO 2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO 2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5 ± 1.9 mg·L –1 CO 2 ; 29 532 – 41 393 μatm (1 atm = 101.325 kPa) at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO 2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.
ISSN:0706-652X
1205-7533
DOI:10.1139/cjfas-2015-0472