Effect of total dissolved gas supersaturation on the survival of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Abstract

Flood discharge results in total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation downstream of a dam during the flood period. Fish suffer death from gas bubble disease (GBD) caused by TDG supersaturation. Nonetheless, current studies mainly attach importance to the survival of benthic fish affected by TDG supersaturation in the Yangtze River in China. Few studies have attempted to investigate the survival of pelagic fish influenced by TDG supersaturated water and compare the tolerance characteristics to TDG supersaturation between benthic and pelagic fish. To identify the survival of fish species that inhabit the various water layers affected by TDG supersaturation, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) (pelagic fish) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) (benthic fish) were chosen to conduct an acute exposure experiment of four different TDG supersaturation levels (125%, 130%, 135% and 140%). The findings illustrated that the two fish species both exhibited evident aberrant behaviours of maladjustment in TDG supersaturated water.Obvious GBD symptoms were also found in the test fish. The survival probability of silver carp and common carp decreased with increasing levels of TDG supersaturation. The median survival time (ST 50 ) values of the silver carp exposed to four levels of TDG supersaturated water (125%, 130%, 135% and 140%) were 26.84, 7.96, 5.56 and 3.62 h, respectively, whereas the ST 50 values of common carp were 53.50, 26.00, 16.50 and 11.70 h, respectively. When compared with common carp, silver carp had a weaker tolerance to TDG-supersaturated water and were vulnerable to GBD. It shows that levels above 125% are not safe for common carp survival. In terms of the tolerance threshold value, silver carp merits further investigation because it showed lower tolerance to TDG than did common carp. K E Y W O R D S accelerated failure time (AFT) model, gas bubble disease, median survival time (ST 50 ), survival probability, TDG supersaturated water | INTRODUCTIONTo satisfy the increasing demands of electric energy and flood control, many dams with high head or super high head (height exceeds 200 m) have been constructed in the upper Yangtze River basin (Cui, 2017;Huang & Zhen, 2009;Zhou et al., 2006). Nonetheless, high-level total dissolved gas (TDG)-supersaturated water may be formed in the plunge pool of these high dams during the flood

A Review of Grass Carp and Related Species Literature on Diet, Behavior, Toxicology, and Physiology Focused on Informing Development of Controls for Invasive Grass Carp Populations in North America

“…Water supersaturated with total dissolved gasses (TDGs), a state which can be caused by flood outflow from dams, can cause a pathology termed 'gas bubble disease' which can be lethal to carp and other fishes [495,496]. Several studies have been conducted on the effects of TDG supersaturation on various carp species, including grass carp, due to the presence of large dams and declining populations in their native range (Ref.…”

Interaction of total dissolved gas supersaturation and suspended sediment on swimming performance of bighead carp (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis)

“…Subsequently, many studies related to the effects of TDG supersaturation have been carried out. However, most studies have concentrated on the effects of TDG supersaturation on fish tolerance and avoidance behavior (Cao et al, 2015; Deng et al, 2020; Deng et al, 2021; Feng et al, 2019). Studies on the swimming performance of fish subjected to TDG supersaturation are limited.…”

Interactive effects of total dissolved gas supersaturation and suspended sediment on the swimming abilities of two fish species

“…At 130% and above TDG levels, silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) exhibited reduced avoidance behaviour (Ji et al, 2021). The survival rates of sliver carp and common carp decreased when TDG levels rose (Deng et al, 2021). Xue et al (2019) reported that the majority of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) died within 90-130 hours when TDG levels were above 127% in an in situ study.…”

“…At 130% and above TDG levels, silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) exhibited reduced avoidance behaviour (Ji et al., 2021). The survival rates of sliver carp and common carp decreased when TDG levels rose (Deng et al., 2021). Xue et al.…”