An Ultrasonic Transmitter for Use in Studies of Movements of Fishes

Abstract

A small ultrasonic fish tag is described, which is useful in studies of the game and pan fishes of freshwater lakes. The device emits a continuous signal of from 14 to 20 hr duration, at a frequency of 65 kilohertz. With the receiving equipment described, 37 white bass, Roccus chrysops (Raf.), have been successfully tracked in Lake Mendota for periods up to 13 hr. A study of the frequency of recapture of spawning white bass, marked with “dummy” transmitters in various ways, suggested that implantation in the stomach provided the more satisfactory tagging procedure. Of 672 fish tagged in various ways, 8.1% of those tagged externally, 6.2% of those with the tag implanted in the body cavity, and 18.8% of those with the tag placed in the stomach were recovered. In comparison, 17.5% of those marked with a hole punched in the soft dorsal fin were recaptured.

Oxygen consumption of active rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, derived from electromyograms obtained by radiotelemetry

“…There have been attempts to determine the oxygen requirements of fish active in the wild. These include the use of telemetry, radio or ultrasonic signals being transmitted from moving fish by means of which their positions may be determined by use of a suitable array of directional hydrophones (Henderson et al, 1966;Lonsdale, 1967;Lonsdale & Baxter, 1968;Young et al, 1972;Hawkins et al, 1974;Young et al, 1976;Stasko & Pincock, 1977). The path swum by a fish thus equipped can be depicted by joining the sequentially recorded positions.…”

The use of external electronic tags on fish: an evaluation of tag retention and tagging effects

“…Early studies often used external attachment methods based on easily available materials, including fish hooks [13], alligator clips [14] and pull ties [15], and included descriptive evaluation of the most effective tagging methods and body locations under semi-controlled conditions, but without detailed evaluation of effects by comparison to controls [16]. This lack of detailed studies was also because early electronic tags were short-lived and so only the most obvious acute impact effects were considered.…”

“…Fishing hook at base of dorsal fin attached by nylon tether to transmitter Roccus chrysops white bass [13] Small fishing hook at base of dorsal fin, attached by stiff nylon tether to PIT tag (highly temporary, minimal handling)…”

Use of radio telemetry for studying upriver migration of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

“…Transmitter regurgitation has been reported for several species (Henderson et al, 1966;Kelso, 1974;Stasko & Rommel, 1974). Regurgitation by Atlantic salmon smolts of stomach-placed ' dummy ' transmitters was not a problem over periods up to 24 h in laboratory experiments (Fried et al, 1976;McCleave & Stred, 197% nor was it believed to be a problem under natural conditions LaBar et al, in press).…”

“…Technological developments in the field of radio telemetry are not presented. Ultrasonic telemetry for studying movements of aquatic animals has been in use for some time (Henderson et al, 1966;Johnson, 1960;Trefethen, 1956), and Stasko & Pincock (1977) have just reviewed the subject in detail. Radio telemetry from completely submerged aquatic animals is relatively new (Lonsdale & Baxter, 1968 ;Winter et al, 1973), but investigators have been quick to recognize its advantages for some kinds of studies (Stasko, 1976).…”