Habitat use and movement of river blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus R.) in a highly modified Victorian stream, Australia

Abstract –  Movement and habitat use of river blackfish ( Gadopsis marmoratus R.) was studied in a highly modified central Victorian stream (Birch Creek), Australia, using radio telemetry ( N  = 10) and mark–recapture ( N  = 113) between October 2001 to May 2002, and November to December 2002 respectively. Blackfish had a small home range of 10–26 m with strong affinity to a pool. However, small movements within a pool were common which resulted in relatively large cumulative movements. At a diel scale there were no significant differences in blackfish movement between day and night (Kruskal–Wallis test, P  = 0.95). Six of seven blackfish translocated 40 m upstream or downstream of their original positions returned within 48 h, suggesting strong affinity not only to a pool, but also to a small region within a pool. Blackfish utilised slow flowing (0–20 cm s⁻¹) and deep waters (40–60 cm). Blackfish were strongly associated with the instream cover habitats of undercut banks and boulders. Significant differences were recorded in instream cover and water velocity used by blackfish between day and night (Kruskal–Wallis test, P  = <0.01). At night blackfish used open areas with high water velocities whereas during the day blackfish used complex undercut banks with low water velocities.     

Horizontal and vertical movement of Mekong giant catfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasianodon gigas</Emphasis> measured using acoustic telemetry in Mae Peum Reservoir,Thailand

Abstract:   The horizontal and vertical movements of eight immature hatchery-reared Mekong giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas were monitored using acoustic telemetry in Mae Peum Reservoir, Thailand between 2003 and 2004. The fish were monitored for between eight days and more than 9 months. All of the fish moved over the entire reservoir within approximately 40 days after release. Subsequently, the home range became small approximately 40 days after release. The fish preferred deep areas in the reservoir. The fish displayed diel horizontal and vertical movement patterns. The fish showed larger-scale horizontal movement during the daytime than at night. The fish repeatedly showed active vertical movement during the day, whilst there was little variation in swimming depth at night. Our results imply that the vertical movements of the fish were related to the environmental condition of the reservoir.     

Patterns of movement and habitat use by tigerfish (Hydrocynus vittatus) in the Upper Zambezi River (Namibia)

Abstract – During 6 November to 24 December 2000, 23 tigerfish [( Hydrocynus vittatus ), 30–54 cm] were tagged with radio transmitters in the Zambezi River (Namibia) to record habitat utilisation during low, rising and high water levels. The fish were tracked, on average, every fourth day during 23 November to 18 May. Two movement patterns were detected. Approximately 50% of the fish moved <1000 m among tracking surveys, staying within 'defined' home ranges. The remaining fish showed consistent site fidelity for periods, with long distance movements (>1000 m) to new areas among residency periods. Overall, mean distance moved between tracking surveys was 1447 m. Home range size varied among individuals, with a 95% probability of localisation within an average area of 276,978 m². The fish utilised a mean river stretch of 18,836 m (range = 90–71,840). All the fish were recorded in the main stem, and on average, 95% of the fixes were in the main stem during low water. However, the fish used temporary flooded areas to an increasing extent during the rising and high water period, but did not undertake long-distance migrations into the floodplains. Fish were sometimes near vegetation, but were never recorded into or under vegetation.     

Residency and movement of stream-dwelling Japanese charr, Salvelinus leucomaenis, in a central Japanese mountain stream

Abstract – The residency and movement of stream-dwelling adult (2+ and older) Japanese charr, Salvelinus leucomaenis , were studied by mark and recapture experiments in the Jadani Stream, a headwater tributary of the Tedori River, central Japan, from 1986 to 1989. Of the marked fish, 31.3–58.3% were recaptured in the same pools where they had been caught during the study periods of summer (June–August), autumn (August–November) and winter–spring (November to the next June) and no seasonal movement was observed. The mean distances that the fish moved during the study periods ranged from 139.0 to 502.3 m and many movements longer than 1000 m were observed. Between the resident and the moved fish, there was little difference in body length, growth rate or sex. For the fish that had been resident in the same pools and riffles at previous recaptures, most fish were recaptures in the same locations at the next recapture. Conversely, for the fish that moved previously, most fish were recaptured in different locations from previous sites at the next recapture. These results suggest that Japanese charr exhibit relatively high residency throughout the year, but many fish moved longer distance. The results also suggest the presence of static and mobile components in the charr population.     

Some impacts of low and medium head weirs on downstream fish movement in the Murray–Darling Basin in southeastern Australia

Abstract –  This article reports on the findings of a study undertaken within the Murray-Darling River Basin in southeastern Australia, which investigated the impact of weirs on downstream fish movement. Downstream fish movement was monitored at Kennedy's Weir (an overshot, 2 m high weir) on the Broken Creek and Torrumbarry Weir (an undershot, 6.5 m high weir) on the Murray River. A trap used to sample Kennedy's Weir indicated that fish travelled downstream over this weir without sustaining injury or death. A follow-up study, whereby fish were captured below the two respective weirs and translocated upstream where they were radio tagged and released, indicated that while a few fish travelled downstream past the weirs on their return movements back to their home range areas, most were reluctant to do so. This study demonstrates that low-level weirs may inhibit downstream fish movement, and enhancement of downstream fish passage for potamodromous fish species warrants further investigation.     

Movements of creek chubs, Semotilus atromaculatus, among habitat patches in a plains stream

Abstract –  We studied summer movement patterns of creek chubs, Semotilus atromaculatus, in a low-gradient, sand-bottomed stream on the western plains of the United States. Creek chubs were highly associated with patches of cover consisting of wood or macrophytes. Movements among 37 patches in a 1.1-km segment were assessed in a mark-recapture study. Over 2-week intervals, 44% of recaptured fish changed patches. Net distances moved ranged from 4 to 606 m, median distance moved was 49 m. Of fish recaptured repeatedly during the four sampling periods, most (65%) changed patches at least once, but few were consistently mobile. Inter-patch distance was an important variable with a negative effect on creek chub movements. Inter-patch cover was less important, but had a positive effect on movements. Frequent, short-distance movements among habitat patches in summer are a component of the ecology of creek chubs and the spatial arrangement of patches, and intervening stream conditions appear to mediate those movements.     

Denil fishway utilization patterns and passage of several warmwater species relative to seasonal, thermal and hydraulic dynamics

Abstract – Two different Denil fishways on the Grand River, Ontario, were used as check-points to evaluate the upstream movement of fishes past a low-head weir and to examine the proportions and inferred swimming performance of non-salmonid warmwater fishes that used each fishway type. Traps installed at fishway exits were used to collect fish during 24-hour sampling periods, over 40–51 days each year, from 1995 to 1997. Passage rates, size selectivity, water temperature, water velocity and turbidity for the periods of maximum passage for each year were examined. General species composition from trap samples shifted from catostomids to cyprinids to ictalurids to percids and centrarchids, with some overlap, as water temperatures increased from 8 °C to 25 °C in the spring and early summer. Water depths, and therefore water velocities in each fishway, were independent of river discharge due to variable accumulations of debris on upstream trash-racks. Relationships between the water velocity and the swimming and position-holding abilities of several species emerged. Turbidity was directly related to river discharge and precipitation events, and many species demonstrated maximum fishway use during periods of increased turbidity. This study 1) provided evidence of strongly directional upstream movements among several species that were previously considered non-migratory and 2) describes physical and hydraulic conditions during fishway use for 29 non-salmonid fish species.     

Directed movements and diel burrow fidelity patterns of red tilefish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Branchiostegus japonicus</Emphasis> determined using ultrasonic telemetry

ABSTRACT:   Wild red tilefish Branchiostegus japonicus were tracked and/or monitored for up to nearly 3 months in Western Wakasa Bay and Maizuru Bay, Japan, using ultrasonic telemetry to examine their movements and burrow fidelity patterns. In Western Wakasa Bay, it is guessed that fish released in relatively shallow waters, about 30 m deep, actively moved into more suitable deeper habitats after their release. In Maizuru Bay, the fish did not undertake large-scale movements and showed burrow fidelity about 1 month after their release. That is, the fish primarily remained in the burrow, which was constructed in the sea-bottom, during the night and moved outside the burrow during the day. The marked circadian rhythm from Fourier analysis indicated a clear diel movement pattern of the red tilefish.     

Lateral movement of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in a large lowland river and floodplain

Abstract –  Common carp ( Cyprinus carpio L.) are a major freshwater invader and knowledge of their movements is important for planning control efforts. To investigate the movement patterns of common carp, radio-tags were implanted into 46 adult fish; 37 near a large floodplain wetland, the Barmah-Millewa forest, and 9 in the Murray River approximately 175 km upstream. Tagged fish were located every second week between August 1999 and March 2001. Common carp occupied total linear ranges (TLR) between 0.4 and 238 km (mean 30 ± 61 km), with 25 fish (62.5%) occupying a TLR < 10 km. Two fish made large distance movements approximately 650 km downstream. Fish sex, the number of locations, time at large, or tagging location explained little variability ( P  > 0.05) in TLR. Monthly distance from release varied from 0.04 to 238 km (mean 15 ± 44 km), and was not significantly related to river discharge and water temperature, but 29 of 31 (93.5%) fish tagged at Barmah moved from the Murray River into adjacent floodplain habitats upon flooding. Five fish (12.5%) moved large distances (>127 km) upstream of the Barmah-Millewa forest. Fourteen fish (35%) showed site fidelity to within 20 m and usually occupied one or two home sites. Twenty-six fish (65%) showed site fidelity to within 100 m occupying up to five sites during the study period. Movement patterns of common carp were complex, and individuals exhibited different strategies, which is typical of invasive species. Efforts to control and potentially reduce common carp populations in regulated river-floodplain environments should target key floodplain access points and over-wintering habitats to reduce adult biomass, spawning and recruitment levels.     

Patterns of movement of adult northern pike (Esox lucius L.) in a regulated river

Abstract –  We performed a tagging study on one of the spawning populations of northern pike ( Esox lucius L.) of the River Kajaaninjoki in Finland. Northern pike is the main predator in many lakes and rivers in the northern hemisphere. Previous tagging studies have shown a general tendency to sedentary behaviour by pike. Whether individuals in a fish population adapt a sedentary or moving strategy may affect population persistence. To study if the spawning population consists of sedentary or moving individuals and the pattern of movements, we tagged 40 pike with radio transmitters and followed them from May 2002 to June 2003. Pike were caught and tagged during the spawning season in the mouth of the River Kajaaninjoki which flows into one of the largest lakes in Finland, Lake Oulujärvi. Our results suggest that the pike spawning population consisted of sedentary pike ( N  = 16) dwelling the whole year in the river, and moving pike ( N  = 24) which moved to Lake Oulujärvi after the spawning period. Pike exhibited homing behaviour, as most of the migrating pike returned to the same spawning area in the following year. Large pike had a higher movement rate than small pike during the summer and seasonally the movement rate was lowest during the spring and highest during the summer.     

Movement of fish between a river and its backwater: diel activity and relation to environmental gradients

Abstract –  Movements of fish, in particular roach Rutilus rutilus , perch Perca fluviatilis, rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus, bleak Alburnus alburnus and chub Leuciscus cephalus (age ≥ 1+) in relation to environmental variables were examined between the River Morava, Czech Republic, and a rehabilitated former meander. Data were taken over seven 24-h periods in April–June 1997 using two back-to-back traps. Of 170 fish captured, 70% moved from the backwater to the river. Diel activity differed between sampling dates, but overall bleak, roach and chub moved mainly between dusk and dawn, whereas perch moved throughout most of the day. Rudd showed bi-modal (mid-day, midnight) activity. However, avoidance behaviour could have biased results for species known to be wary of traps. Water level changes, temperature and illumination were among the main environmental factors influencing fish movement, along with spawning migrations relevant for most species. In all specimens, over 65% individuals captured were ready to spawn. Most of them, except for perch, were moving out of the backwater towards the river.     

Movements and habitat utilization of three cichlid species in the Zambezi River, Namibia

Abstract – During 5–7 October 1999, 16 cichlids (30.5–51.0 cm) were tagged with radio transmitters in the Zambezi River in Namibia (eight threespot tilapia Oreochromis andersonii , seven pink happy Sargochromis giardi and one humpback largemouth Serranochromis altus ). The main objectives of this pilot study were 1) to assess whether and how telemetry can be used to follow the movements of larger cichlids in the upper Zambezi River and 2) to study the movements, habitat preferences and homing behavior of three cichlid species important for subsistence and trophy fishing during a period of increasing water flow towards the rainy period. Nine fish showed a downriver movement immediately after release, believed to be a behavioral response to catch and tagging. From 11 October, only small-scale movements were recorded. Average total distance moved from 11 October to 1 March was 375 m (range=1–1150) for threespot tilapia and 1276 m (range=540–1990) for pink happy. The farthest position compared to the position held on 11 October was on average 220 m away (range=0–500) for threespot tilapia and 538 m (range=20–1500) for pink happy. Displaced individuals did not show homing to the catch site. The threespot tilapia were, on average, located in the main river during 67% of the tracking surveys, in backwaters during 13% and in mouth of backwaters during 20%. The pink happy were, on average, located in the main river during 71% of the tracking surveys, in backwaters during 25% and in mouth of backwaters during 4%.     

Seasonal and diel patterns in the migrations of fishes between a river and a floodplain tributary

Nunn AD, Copp GH, Vilizzi L, Carter MG. Seasonal and diel patterns in the migrations of fishes between a river and a floodplain tributary. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 153–162. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Abstract –  The population behaviours associated with the migrations of fishes in lowland river ecosystems are amongst the most poorly-understood dispersal mechanisms of temperate freshwater organisms. This study evaluated the influence of four environmental variables (light levels, river discharge, water temperature and water velocity) on the timing, intensity and direction of fish movements between the River Avon (Hampshire, England) and a small floodplain tributary, Ibsley Brook, over a 12-month period. Using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to identify patterns of movement (by groups of species) and the relative strengths of explanatory variables in the data, the probability of fishes migrating between the river and tributary was determined using Bayesian modelling. The intensity and direction of fish movements between the river and tributary varied temporally, both on a diel and seasonal basis, and there were species- and age-specific patterns in behaviour. Diel movements appeared to be triggered by changes in light intensity and brook water velocity, whereas seasonal movements were mostly driven by changes in river discharge and water temperature, particularly those associated with floods. This study emphasises the importance of connectivity in river systems, as fishes migrated in all conditions, but especially during rapidly-rising discharge.     

Site fidelity and movement patterns of wild subadult red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus), within a salt marsh-dominated estuarine landscape

Abstract  During summer and autumn 2002, 12 subadult red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) (261–385 mm total length) were surgically implanted with ultrasonic transmitters and released within the upper reach of the Duplin River Estuary, Sapelo Island, GA, USA. A fixed array of submerged receivers automatically recorded the time that individual tagged fish were detected at 10 sites within the study area. Ten red drum implanted with transmitters were located within the receiver array for 6–96 days post-release. All fish exhibited a high degree of site fidelity at low tide, and movements appeared to be influenced by both tidal and diel cycles. Dispersal on flood tides was observed, but destinations (upriver or downriver) and paths taken (main channel, intertidal channels or flooded marsh surface) varied among individuals. Flood-tide movements were generally restricted to daylight hours. If the start of flood tide occurred after sunset, fish remained stationary. Variation in details of movement patterns among individuals notwithstanding, predictable behaviour and strong site fidelity make subadult red drum vulnerable to recreational fishing in the restricted tidal channels of the tidal marsh–estuary complex. However, the same predictability provides fisheries managers a means of targeting specific areas for protection of over-fished populations of this species.     

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) movement and survival after removal of two dams on the West Branch of the Wolf River,Wisconsin

Dam removals allow fish to access habitats that may provide ecological benefits and risks, but the extent of fish movements through former dam sites has not been thoroughly evaluated for many species. We installed stationary PIT antennas in 2016 and 2017 to evaluate movements and survival of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis in the West Branch of the Wolf River (WBWR) in central Wisconsin following removal of two dams and channel modifications designed to promote fish movement. These changes provided access to lacustrine habitats that might provide suitable winter habitat or act as ecological sinks. We used multistate models to estimate transition probabilities between river sections, to determine whether brook trout: (a) moved between multiple river sections and (b) entered lacustrine habitats as seasonal refuges, but eventually returned to lotic habitat. We also used a Cormack-Jolly-Seber model to evaluate whether apparent survival of brook trout in the WBWR was comparable to other populations. Few fish moved among river sections or used lacustrine habitat (<5% of tagged fish); most brook trout remained in sections where they were initially tagged, potentially due to quality habitat located throughout the river. Like other studies, brook trout in the WBWR appear to experience high mortality based on low number of detections, few physical recaptures and an estimated eight-month apparent survival rate of 0.27. In scenarios where fish can already access suitable habitat, removal of dams may not result in substantial increases in fish movement and colonisation of newly accessible habitat may not occur immediately.     

Role of origin and release location in pre‐spawning distribution and movements of anadromous alewife

Abstract Capturing adult anadromous fish that are ready to spawn from a self sustaining population and transferring them into a depleted system is a common fisheries enhancement tool. The behaviour of these transplanted fish, however, has not been fully evaluated. The movements of stocked and native anadromous alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson), were monitored in the Ipswich River, Massachusetts, USA, to provide a scientific basis for this management tool. Radiotelemetry was used to examine the effect of origin (native or stocked) and release location (upstream or downstream) on distribution and movement during the spawning migration. Native fish remained in the river longer than stocked fish regardless of release location. Release location and origin influenced where fish spent time and how they moved. The spatial mosaic of available habitats and the entire trajectory of freshwater movements should be considered to restore effectively spawners that traverse tens of kilometres within coastal rivers.     

Movement of wild and experimentally stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L., before and after a flood in a small Austrian stream

Weirs and traps were used to monitor the movement of two strains of stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L. Within 24 h of stocking, 15% ( n  = 13) of a Danish strain and 21% ( n  = 19) of a hybrid strain moved at least 100 m from their release site. In the following 5–6 days, no further movement was found for Danish fish, but hybrid fish continued to move, totaling 32% ( n  = 29) of the fish stocked. During this same period, 36 wild brown trout (≈ 3.5% of the population) were captured, moving over the weirs. Two weeks later, and one week after a flood, 70% ( n  = 59) of the Danish strain were recovered within their release sites and 89% ( n  = 76) were recovered during an electric fishing survey within the 3.5-km-long experimental area. In contrast, 43% ( n  = 31) of the hybrid strain were recaptured in their release sites and 49% ( n  = 45) within the experimental area. The total recapture of wild adult fish was only 16% ( n  = 41). The flooding event was insignificant in comparison with strain-specific behaviours in determining patterns of movement and residency.Austria, brown trout, floods, movement, stocking.     

Migration and movement profiles of a potadromous fish (Brachymystax lenok Pallas 1773) in a highly connected river system (Mongolia)

Understanding a species’ spatial and temporal movements along with the way these shift under extreme environmental conditions is vital for developing scientifically sound conservation and management strategies. The aim of this research was to describe and quantify the seasonal migration patterns and fine‐scale movement profiles of Brachymystax lenok, a threatened, potadromous salmonid that inhabits the highly connected, boreal river basins of Siberia and northern Asia. During this study 21 mature individuals were monitored over a 15 month period in the upper Eroo River basin, Mongolia, using passive acoustic telemetry. Mean (±SD) B. lenok home ranges were 19.1 ± 15.1 km (median = 11.5 km), with maximum longitudinal movements detected > 45.3 km. Two periods of increased movements were identified; the first in late summer/early autumn when 10 B. lenok moved into deeper, overwintering pools, with the second period occurring in late spring and early summer when nine B. lenok were detected entering the surrounding tributaries. Diel activity and depth typically increased during daylight hours followed by decreased activity or resting periods in shallower river sections at night. These results highlight the need to maintain a high level of river connectivity and adequate fishing season closures by implementing and enforcing an expansive spatiotemporal management plan that can better protect and recover the Mongolian B. lenok populations. Such measures should be transferable to other threatened, potadromous fish species residing throughout the world's boreal river basins.     

Movements by wild brown trout in a boreal river: response to habitat and flow contrasts

Abstract  Radio transmitters were implanted in wild brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in the River Måna at low summer water flows ( n  = 18), higher flow in summer ( n  =   20), and variable, peaking flows in autumn ( n  =   20), and tracked two to four times day and night for 4–5 weeks. Individuals were caught and released in a 4-km uniformly channelised section, and in a 4-km natural diverse river section. Substantial individual variation in home range and total movement (924–85 818 m² and 295–7014 m) suggested flexibility to adapt to local environmental conditions. Fish were stationary most of the time (median movement 0 m), but some individuals undertook few and apparently sporadic longer movements, sometimes involving shifts in home range. No consistent diurnal pattern in movements was found. Trout in the uniform habitat section appeared to have larger home ranges and moved more than trout in the natural section. Differences were, however, not statistically significant in most comparisons, due to large individual variation. Similarly, larger home ranges and movements between trials related to higher flow were found, but differences were generally not significant. No consistent effects of sudden, extreme peaking flows on area use or movements by the brown trout were observed.     

Detection efficiency of multiplexed Passive Integrated Transponder antennas is influenced by environmental conditions and fish swimming behaviour

Abstract –  The efficiency of a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT)-tag detection system was tested during a 23-day experiment using a permanent digital video to record the passage of fish through multiplexed antennas. Coupling video to the PIT system allowed the detection of error sources and the correction of erroneous data. The efficiency of the detection system and its variation were investigated according to fish swimming speed, direction of movement and individual fish behaviour. Influence of time and environmental conditions on detection results were also checked. The PIT tag system was 96.7% efficient in detecting fish. Upstream movements were better detected (99.8%) than downstream movements (93.7%). Moreover, results showed that efficiency rate was not stable over the experiment; it was reduced on stormy days. Several sources of errors were identified such as sub-optimal orientation of the PIT tag relative to the antenna plane, the influence of fish swimming speed, individual fish behaviour and influence of environmental conditions.