Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, are rapidly expanding their range. Federal agencies and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are focused on keeping invasive carps out of the Great Lakes. The development of an effective attractant may assist managers with capturing carps in low-density areas such as the upper Illinois River near Chicago, where barrier defense to eliminate propagules is a top priority.
The Issue: The USGS is part of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) and is focused on the research and development of techniques that could help managers better control Asian Carp populations. Techniques are needed to aggregate invasive carps so that they can be more effectively removed, especially in low-density areas of high priority.
Addressing the Issue: Preliminary studies conducted at CERC and by independent researchers have shown that some food stimulus may be attractive to filter-feeding bigheaded carps. Laboratory work will continue to identify additional attractants for larval, juvenile and adult Asian Carp species (Bighead and Silver Carp, Grass Carp and Black Carp) using an electro-olfactogram (EOG). Attractants that elicit a strong electric response will be further tested in mesocosms to identify behavioral responses. Cooperators at Joliet Junior College are simultaneously working to develop potential baits that could be used in conjunction with trap nets. The USGS is working with both Joliet Junior College and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to conduct field experiments to test the effectiveness of these baits.
Next Steps/Future Steps/Results: Development and field testing of baits will likely continue into 2019. Identification of attractants for each of the four species of Asian Carp using the EOG will also continue. Potentially effective attractants will be further tested in mesocosms to evaluate behavioral responses to the stimuli.
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Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency
Development and Evaluation of Novel Capture Gears for Bigheaded Carps
Assessment of Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps
- Overview
Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, are rapidly expanding their range. Federal agencies and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are focused on keeping invasive carps out of the Great Lakes. The development of an effective attractant may assist managers with capturing carps in low-density areas such as the upper Illinois River near Chicago, where barrier defense to eliminate propagules is a top priority.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Choice chambers for behavioral experiments where two stimuli can be delivered without mixing.(Public domain.) The Issue: The USGS is part of the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ACRCC) and is focused on the research and development of techniques that could help managers better control Asian Carp populations. Techniques are needed to aggregate invasive carps so that they can be more effectively removed, especially in low-density areas of high priority.
Addressing the Issue: Preliminary studies conducted at CERC and by independent researchers have shown that some food stimulus may be attractive to filter-feeding bigheaded carps. Laboratory work will continue to identify additional attractants for larval, juvenile and adult Asian Carp species (Bighead and Silver Carp, Grass Carp and Black Carp) using an electro-olfactogram (EOG). Attractants that elicit a strong electric response will be further tested in mesocosms to identify behavioral responses. Cooperators at Joliet Junior College are simultaneously working to develop potential baits that could be used in conjunction with trap nets. The USGS is working with both Joliet Junior College and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to conduct field experiments to test the effectiveness of these baits.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Juvenile Silver Carp undergoing EOG testing(Public domain.) Next Steps/Future Steps/Results: Development and field testing of baits will likely continue into 2019. Identification of attractants for each of the four species of Asian Carp using the EOG will also continue. Potentially effective attractants will be further tested in mesocosms to evaluate behavioral responses to the stimuli.
Return to Invasive Species Ecology
Return to Conservation, Quantitative, and Restoration Ecology
- Science
Use and Evaluation of Stimuli for Herding Bigheaded Carps to Increase their Capture Efficiency
Mass removal of the invasive silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) is a primary management action in the United States to contain population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. Efficient capture and removal techniques are required to achieve this goal, and the USGS is working to develop and evaluate such...Development and Evaluation of Novel Capture Gears for Bigheaded Carps
Mass removal of Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, is a primary management action to contain the population growth and reduce upstream dispersal. The use of passive trap nets to harvest bigheaded carps may effectively supplement active capture techniques. The USGS is working with partner agencies to develop...Assessment of Acoustic Stimuli for Manipulating Movement of Bigheaded Carps
Invasive Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, hereafter referred to as bigheaded carps, have displayed a negative phonotactic response when presented with a broadband acoustic stimulus. Additional study is needed to identify effective acoustic stimuli for manipulating bigheaded carp behavior, and to test bigheaded carp responses to those stimuli in...