Tag retention and survival of juvenile bighead carp implanted with an acoustic tag at three temperatures

Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp H. molitrix (together, the bigheaded carps) are considered among the most problematic of invasive fishes in North. Movement and behavior of bigheaded carps has been studied through telemetry methods although the majority of work has occurred on large, adult fish; smaller, juvenile bigheaded carps have not yet been evaluated. Reductions in the size of transmitters have provided an opportunity for such work. However, the effects of surgical implantation of telemetry tags on small bigheaded carps have not previously been evaluated. The goal of this study was to determine tag retention and survival associated with implanting acoustic tags into small bighead carp (range 128-152 mm total length) at three separate temperatures (13 degrees C, 18 degrees C, and 23 degrees C), as well as determining differences in fitness of the carp, defined as changes in weight or critical swimming speed.