Evaluation of coded wire tags for marking fingerling golden perch, Macquaria ambigua (Percichthyidae), and silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (Teraponidae)

Abstract

Trials were conducted to evaluate coded wire tags for marking hatchery-produced golden perch and silver perch fingerlings prior to their release into the wild. Two size classes of fish were tagged: 'small' fish were 21-39 mm in total length and 'large' fish were 50-71 mm in total length. Tags were implanted into either the cheek muscle or the snout. Tagging rates were 200-548 fish h^-1. Although tag retention in large cheek-tagged golden and silver perch was 100% after 30 days, rearing fish to this size was not practical. Retention rates for small cheek-tagged golden perch (94%) and silver perch (100%), the usual size of fingerlings when released to the wild, were considered to be sufficient for a tagging programme. Retention of tags in the snout was poor; only 6% of golden perch and 48% of silver perch retained tags after 30 days. Most cheek-implanted tags that were shed by fish during long-term tag-retention trials were lost in the first four months. With the exception of silver perch in one trial, which were infested by Ichthyophthirius multtfiliis, survival of tagged fish was 95-100% after 30 days. Factors affecting tag retention and survival of tagged fish, including fish size, tagging site and operator experience, are discussed. The results indicate that coded wire tags are a potential means of marking golden and silver perch fingerlings prior to stocking. Their use will assist fisheries managers in the assessment of the contribution of stocking programmes to commercial and recreational fisheries.