Juvenile native fish and sedative data from a laboratory and field experiment
Data for journal manuscript: An evaluation of sedatives for use in transport of juvenile endangered fishes in plastic bags
Dates
Publication Date
2019-09-04
Time Period
2014
Time Period
2017
Citation
Tennant, L.A., 2019, Juvenile native fish and sedative data from a laboratory and field experiment: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9QU97R1.
Summary
These data were compiled for a study evaluating if rare or endangered fishes (e.g., Humpback Chub and Bonytail) can be transported in a shipping bag with 1-L of water and minimal sedative into remote locations. There were two components (laboratory trials and a field trial) of the study conducted in 2014 and 2017. Laboratory trials were conducted at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Flagstaff, Arizona to evaluate three sedatives: AquaCalm, Tricaine-S, or Aqui-S 20E. Pilot trials were conducted with five fish (Bonytail) placed in a bag, where induction/recovery times, level of sedation, and fate after release were monitored for fish exposed to a sedative. Fish density increased to 20 fish (Bonytail and Humpback Chub) per shipping [...]
Summary
These data were compiled for a study evaluating if rare or endangered fishes (e.g., Humpback Chub and Bonytail) can be transported in a shipping bag with 1-L of water and minimal sedative into remote locations. There were two components (laboratory trials and a field trial) of the study conducted in 2014 and 2017. Laboratory trials were conducted at the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Flagstaff, Arizona to evaluate three sedatives: AquaCalm, Tricaine-S, or Aqui-S 20E. Pilot trials were conducted with five fish (Bonytail) placed in a bag, where induction/recovery times, level of sedation, and fate after release were monitored for fish exposed to a sedative. Fish density increased to 20 fish (Bonytail and Humpback Chub) per shipping bag once sedative doses were refined. For high density (n=20 fish per bag) trials, two doses of each sedative were selected to evaluate. Variables monitored in the high-density trials were level of sedation, fate of fish at release, and fate of fish 24 hours after release. For each sedative dose, three shipping bags were prepared and opened at 4-h intervals until a 12-h period was reached. Control replicates (i.e., shipping bags containing fish and no sedative) were conducted for all densities (n=5 or n=20 fish per bag) of fish and also opened at 4-h intervals until a 12-h period was reached. From laboratory trials, the most effective (i.e., minimal mortality, and light sedation) sedative and dose were then selected for the field component of the study, where 240 Humpback Chub (n=20 fish per bag; 6 shipping bags treated with 0.1 mL/L of Aqui-S 20E and 6 shipping bags without sedative) were hiked into the Little Colorado River, Arizona.
The purpose of this data set was to determine if there is an effective method in which fish and wildlife managers can move endangered fishes at little cost. Currently, helicopters are used to transport and translocate endangered fish within the Grand Canyon, which is costly. In some cases, fish are being transported less than 10-km, a hike-able distance. Ornamental fishes are commonly sent by mail in small sealed plastic bags filled with oxygen, minimal water, and a small amount of sedative to reduce weight and shipping costs. We wanted to know if we can use these same methods to transport endangered fishes into a remote area within the Grand Canyon with little to no fish mortality.
Rights
The author(s) of these data request that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
