Mark retention and fish survival associated with a low‐cost marking technique for common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)

• DOI: 10.1111/jai.14068
• Publication Date: 2020-06-16T10:55:17Z
• Authors: Richard A. Snow; Daniel E. Shoup; Michael J. Porta
• Keywords: Common carp; Operculum (bryozoa)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio, [Linnaeus, 1758]) have long been established in the United States and some cases their populations can be very dense, leading biologists to expend significant effort towards reducing numbers of common populations. Estimating abundance prior removal efforts would useful evaluating success these efforts, but marking large fish expensive. Therefore, a low-cost tagging option is needed. In this study, we used tank field experiments determine retention longevity hole-punch marks opercula carp. For experiment, were double marked with size-3 self-piercing tag an operculum mark (using paper tool hole diameter 6.4 mm) on opposite sides fish. Over entirety 180–day tags was 100% no mortality observed. 883 tagged at random two groups, double-marked group (n = 416, both hole-punch) single-mark 467, tag). Fish sampled monthly for 398 days. Because length distribution bimodal, evaluated <330 mm TL (small fish, n 273) > 331 (large 143), separately. Hole-punch high size classes throughout most experiment. entire 398-day small through 184-day remained above 93% 328-days, declined 0% by day 398. Our results suggest that valuable low-cost, long-term technique