Laserfiche WebLink
<br />dorsal to the insertion of the right pelvic fin. Suture knots were <br />coated with "Krazy Glue" (Bill Loudemilk, letter to the U.S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service, March 27, 198~.~). <br />Surgical implantation was completed with AVM fish modules (AVM <br />1979) dipped in melted beeswax. These transmitters (Sm-1) weigh <br />approximately .!! g and are of "padlock" shape. The units are pow- <br />ered by a mercury (Hg-6~~) battery and have a theoretical life of <br />about 215 days. The units transmitted in the 40.660-40.700 !~IHz fre- <br />quency range. Radio receiver sets used were Smith-Root RF 40 and SR <br />40 types. The RF type enables the investigator to identify ;any particu- <br />lar frequency transmitted in the 40 MHz range. The SR receiver is a <br />"search" type and will pick-up all emitted frequencies in the range. <br />Omni-directional and pin-pointing antennae were employed. A <br />Larson-Kulrod whip antenna was used to search for implanted fish. This <br />antenna was mounted on a 20 cm square steel plate elevated about 4 m <br />above the water when mounted on a boat, or mounted directly to an air- <br />plane wing strut. The loop antenna was used only to triangulate fish <br />location. This was done by boat or from shore. <br />During 1980, it was necessary to use aircraft to keep contact with <br />several fish at one time. The most successful aircraft used was a Piper <br />Supercub operated by the U.S. Fish & l~Jildlife Service. This airplane <br />was designed for low altitude and slow flight. The aircraft ,was operated <br />at about 150 m and 115 kph. <br />Water conductivities-and temperature were measured with a Yellow <br />Springs Model 33 meter. Conductivity readings were reported in micromhos <br />per centimeter (,~ mho). Temperature was reported in decrees Centigrade. <br />RESULTS AND DISCUSSION <br />The radiotelemetry program was initiated March 1980 witlh efforts to <br />capture fish and test equipment. The first Colorado squawfish of suit- <br />able size was captured April 3. This fish was in poor condition when <br />captured but was implanted, held 12 days and released to aid the program <br />in testing equipment and determining if successful radioteleimetry was <br />possible. Previous studies both theoretical (Sinning 1979) and applied <br />(Holden and Selby 1978)- indicated radiotracking in the Green River might <br />be difficult because of high water conductivity and failure of radio- <br />telemetric gear. However, it was possible to track this fish and to re- <br />cover it three days later (after tracking it about 24 km). The fish was <br />then held and treated with antibiotic injections. <br />Success in following the first implanted fish was greater than anti- <br />cipated. We then implanted modules in five more Colorado squawfish and <br />one razorback sucker. Table 1 presents information on the capture, re- <br />lease and major movements of all radiotelemetered fishes studied in 1980. <br />Four Colorado squawfish were followed over four months (Table 1, <br />fish No..'s 2-5). These fish displayed two different types of behavior: <br />