Laserfiche WebLink
<br />below the dorsal fin, and on the caudal peduncle. Juvenile bluegill lost elastomer marks applied to <br /> <br />the dorsal surface of the skull but retained all other marks. Bonneau et al. (1995) reported elastomer <br /> <br />retention of nearly 100% after 4 months for implants in juvenile and adult salmonids on the top of <br /> <br /> <br />the head, adipose tissue behind the eye, adipose fin, dorsalfm, pectoral fin, and caudal fin. <br /> <br />During the course of our study, razorback sucker mortality averaged 12%. The mortality was <br /> <br /> <br />spread among fish of all groups and apparently unrelated to marking (Table 3). Colorado squawfish <br /> <br />suffered heavy mortality (79%) between 11 July and 16 September, the result of bacterial septicemia. <br /> <br /> <br />The mortality was also spread among fish of all groups and apparently unrelated to marking <br />(Table 5). <br /> <br />Our experience was that between 130 and 140 fish per h could be marked by one person <br /> <br /> <br />implanting elastomer at two locations on each fish and one person anesthetizing and handling fish. <br /> <br />Approximately three times that number can be freeze-branded per h by a single individual. <br /> <br />Conclusions <br /> <br />1. Freeze branding had excellent retention for 15 months for both razorback sucker and Colorado <br /> <br />squawfish. <br /> <br /> <br />2. Elastomer recognition, although acceptable for short time periods (red and orange) on Colorado <br /> <br /> <br />squawfish, were not suitable for marking fishes if identification is desired beyond 12 months. <br /> <br /> <br />3. One person implanting elastomer at two locations on each fish and one person anesthetizing and <br /> <br /> <br />handling fish can mark 130-140 fish per h. Approximately three times that number can be freeze- <br />branded per h. <br /> <br />15 <br />