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26 <br />Implantation of radio transmitters <br />Radio transmitters were externally attached to razorback sucker collected from the <br />spawning area. The transmitters were 149 Mhz with a 44 day life span (Lotek <br />Engineering Inc.) and weighed approximately 6.5g. Each transmitter was attached <br />externally to the keel (anterior of the dorsal fin) on the dorsal surface of the fish. Each <br />transmitter had four small holes to allow attachment. Prior to attachment fish was <br />anesthetized with tricane methanesulfonate (MS-222). Unconscious fish were placed on <br />their ventral surface in a square shaped wooden platform (41 x 33 cm) and the gills <br />irrigated with dilute MS-222. Two holes were drilled into the keel of each fish using a <br />cordless drill with a 0.23 cm bit. The distance between the holes was approximately 3.5 <br />cm. A 20-gage needle was inserted into the transmitter and through each hole to keep the <br />transmitter fixed onto the keel. Absorbable violet monofilament suture (Ethicon 3-0) was <br />fed through a 20 gage needle until it was exposed on the opposite end. The transmitter <br />was fastened tightly to the keel with a combination of knots. Neosporene was applied to <br />the wound to reduce possible infection. After attachment, the fish was placed into a live <br />well to recover for a minimum of 10 minutes. All fish were released near the spawning <br />site. <br />Attachment instruments (forceps, scissors, grooved directors, and tweezers) were <br />sterilized in isopropyl (90%) alcohol prior to each procedure. Prior to attaching the <br />external transmitter to the keel of the fish, the frequency (i.e. 149.740 or 149.760) and the <br />code were documented.