Long-term effects of different-sized surgically implanted acoustic transmitters on the sciaenid Arygyrosomus japonicus: breaking the 2% tag-to-body mass rule

• DOI: 10.1071/mf10219
• Publication Date: 2011-05-26T01:07:28Z
• Authors: A. R. Childs; T. F. Næsje; P. D. Cowley
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 14. Life underwater; 01 natural sciences

Biotelemetry is an increasingly popular and effective tool to study fish movements. Interpretation of the results relies on assumption that behaviour physiology not affected by presence tag. Although long-term effects tagging should be evaluated before field telemetry studies, this has rarely been quantified. As a precursor Argyrosomus japonicus (Termminck Schlegel 1843) in South Africa, surgical implantation two different-sized tags were assessed 256-day experiment. We hypothesised larger 13-mm-diameter tags, which exceeded general 2% tag-to-body mass rule, would have adverse growth, survival tag retention compared with smaller 9-mm-diameter untagged control group. Because no growth observed among three groups, nor any tag-related mortality, expulsion or internal damage, we suggest rule regarded only as broad guide. Further, conclude juvenile A. individuals are well suited for commercially available 9- good candidates studies.