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<br />. <br /> <br />METHODS <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Given difficulties with capturing sufficient numbers of wild larvae to assess entrainment <br /> <br />patterns in 2003 pilot studies, we used both beads and hatchery-produced and marked razorback <br /> <br />sucker larvae released prior to sampling events to increase capture rates. Beads were semi- <br /> <br />buoyant, gelatinous in texture, biodegradable, and three to six mm in diameter (manufactured by <br /> <br />Key Essentials, Inc.). Number of beads released was estimated by counting beads in subsamples <br /> <br />of a known volume and estimating bead number by scaling that ratio to volume per barrel. <br /> <br />Different bead colors were sometimes used at different release locations to understand cross- <br /> <br />channel bead mixing rates as beads were captured downstream. <br /> <br />Razorback sucker larvae used in releases were produced at Ouray National Fish Hatchery <br /> <br />(Ouray Hatchery). Larvae were produced in temporally spaced batches by sequentially <br /> <br />spawning groups of adults. We released larvae that were approximately as old as those captured <br /> <br />in the wild during the post-spawning period (9 to 15 days old; Muth et al. 1998), although we did <br /> <br />release slightly older fish (21 days old) in the first release in 2006. We marked larvae to <br /> <br />distinguish hatchery-released larvae from those produced in the wild. Larvae were marked when <br /> <br />they were about seven days posthatch or older and just after swim-up (Muth and Meismer 1995). <br /> <br />Fish larvae were placed in a reduced volume of water in hatchery tanks or pails and allowed to <br /> <br />acclimate for one to two hours (hr). Dissolved oxygen levels were monitored at intervals and <br /> <br />maintained at greater than five milligrams/liter (mg/L). Marking was conducted inside and away <br /> <br />from any source of ultraviolet light, as light in that wavelength degrades the tetracycline marking <br /> <br />compound (Muth and Bestgen 1991). In 2006 we experimented with commercially available <br /> <br />tetracycline hydrochrloride (TC) powder (Sigma Chemical T3383), available in feed stores and <br /> <br />used for livestock treatments. That compound worked successfully in tests and since it was less <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />19 <br /> <br />. <br />