eDNA shedding rates for juvenile and subadult black carp fed a commercial diet or a Corbicula mussel diet in a laboratory setting

Data describe designed environmental DNA (eDNA) experiments for the estimation of eDNA shedding rates for subadult and juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) at different biomass densities and fed different quantities of food from water samples collected in the laboratory. Parameters described include descriptions of laboratory collected water samples that were tested to estimate concentration of black carp DNA, qPCR results and associated quality assurance measurements. Fish were weighed after each experiment to determine biomass (Biomass_g). For the subadult biomass study (SA_Biomass), a total of 9 experimental tanks (3 per biomass treatment) were assigned one of the following biomass treatments: low = 1 small fish, medium = 1 large fish, and high = 3 large fish per tank. Fish were housed in the experimental tanks for 17 days. Samples collected on day 0 and days 11-17 were used to determine eDNA shedding rates of subadult black carp at different biomasses. For the black carp subadult diet study (SA_Diet), a total of 9 experimental tanks (2 fish of approximately equal biomass per tank, 3 tanks per feeding treatment) were assigned one of the following feeding treatments: low = 2 Corbicula mussels, medium = 4 Corbicula mussels, and high = 6 Corbicula mussels per tank per day. Diet experiments lasted for 8 days. Water samples were collected from days 1-8 to determine eDNA shedding rates of subadult black carp fed different quantities of food. For the black carp juvenile biomass study (JV_Biomass), a total of 12 experimental tanks (3 per biomass treatment) were used and randomly assigned one of the following biomass treatments: control = 0 fish, low = 2 fish, medium = 7 fish, and high = 16 fish per tank. Water samples were collected from day 0 (prior to any fish being added to the system) to day 14. All samples were analyzed with qPCR to establish the eDNA stabilization period for juvenile carp post-handling in addition to determining the eDNA shedding rates of juvenile black carp at different biomasses.