Evaluation of multiple sedation techniques on invasive carps and native fish species in summer 2023 and 2024

This study evaluated three sedation methods to determine their efficacy for use during telemetry tagging. Five fish species (bighead carp, grass carp, bigmouth buffalo, American paddlefish, and lake sturgeon) were sedated using eugenol (AQUI-S® 20E), dissolved carbon dioxide, and electroanesthesia to determine sedation induction times. After sedation, half of the fish from each treatment type underwent surgical implantation of a dummy acoustic transmitter. Morphometric measurements (length, weight) were collected prior to or immediately after surgery, depending on whether the fish received a dummy acoustic transmitter. After sedation and surgery, fish were placed in recovery tanks and observed to determine recovery times. Long-term survival observations of test fish occurred over twelve weeks after the conclusion of sedation trials. After the twelve week observation period, fish were harvested and morphometric measurements were collected. This study took place over two years, with smaller fish being used the first year and larger fish used the second year. Datasets include source water quality, daily care, morphometrics, eugenol analyses, and sedation and recovery time data.

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.