Differences in swimming ability and behavior in response to high water velocities among native and nonnative fishes

We conducted swimming performance tests on native and nonnative fishes commonly found in Arizona streams to evaluate the extent of differences in swimming ability among species. Fishes with similar mean lengths were subjected to stepwise increases in water velocity in a laboratory swim tunnel until...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental biology of fishes 2003-09, Vol.68 (1), p.87-92
Main Authors: WARD, David L, SCHULTZ, Andrew A, MATSON, Paul G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agnatha and pisces
Animal ethology
Biological and medical sciences
Catostomidae
Centrarchidae
Cyprinidae
Fish
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
High flow
Pisces
Poecilidae
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Streams
Swimming behavior
Vertebrata
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Summary:We conducted swimming performance tests on native and nonnative fishes commonly found in Arizona streams to evaluate the extent of differences in swimming ability among species. Fishes with similar mean lengths were subjected to stepwise increases in water velocity in a laboratory swim tunnel until fish could no longer maintain position. Nonnative fathead minnows Pimephales promelas and red shiners Cyprinella lutrensis exhibited swimming abilities similar to native longfin dace Agosia chrysogaster, speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus and spikedace Meda fulgida. Nonnative mosquitofish Gambusia affinis exhibited swimming ability similar to native Gila topminnows Poeciliopsis occidentalis. Desert suckers Catostomus clarki, bluehead suckers Catostomus discobolus and speckled dace exhibited behavioral responses to high water velocities that may confer energetic advantages in swift water. Differences in swimming ability do not appear to adequately explain the disproportionate removal of nonnative fishes via flooding. Behavioral responses to high flows are more likely the mechanism that allows native fish to persist in streams during flood events.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0378-1909
1573-5133
DOI:10.1023/A:1026031128486