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Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

Aaron R. Cupp·Richard A. Erickson·Kim T. Fredricks·Nicholas M. Swyers·Tyson Hatton·Jon Amberg
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Abstract

Resource managers need for effective methods to prevent the movement of silver ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) and bighead carp ( H. nobilis ) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO 2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO 2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5±1.9 mg/L CO 2 ; 29 532 – 41 393 µatm at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO 2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.

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Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic SciencesArticle

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Aaron R. Cupp, Richard A. Erickson, Kim T. Fredricks, Nicholas M. Swyers, Tyson Hatton, Jon Amberg. 2017. Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0472

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