Evaluation of VIE (Visible Implant Elastomer) and PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) physical tagging systems for the identification of red porgy fingerlings (Pagrus pagrus)

The effect of two physical tagging systems, Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT), was evaluated in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) fingerlings, at different sizes. For VIE tagging, the weight classes were <1 and 1?C5?g and no tag effect was detected on fish growth. There was a significant difference in mortality between tagged and untagged <1?g fish, but not for the 1?C5?g fish. The tag loss rate was null for all sizes, however, tags showed fragmentation. This partial tag loss was evaluated and quantified. Seven VIE colours were compared and arranged from best to worst visibility: green, red, pink, orange, yellow, white and blue. For PIT tagging, 2?C6?g, 5?C10?g and 10?C20?g weight classes were analysed. There was no significant tag effect on fish growth, for any size, nor on mortality from 10?g. Tag loss rate ranged from 2.9 to 5.9%. These results demonstrate that, in red porgy, VIE is a successful tagging system from 2?g onwards whereas PIT system is successful from 10?g onwards. The combination of both systems allows traceability of fish from a very small size on, which is necessary for the implementation of genetic breeding programmes.     

Evaluation of visible implant elastomer tags for pathogenesis research in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Two different colours (red and green) of visible implant elastomer (VIE) were used in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The visibility, location and retention of the VIE tags was investigated and any adverse effects on fish survival and growth determined. The use of VIE tags for monitoring individual fish during a bacterial challenge with either Streptococcus agalactiae or S. iniae was also studied. The results showed that VIE treated fish were lighter but not shorter than the non‐tagged control fish and that tagging caused no mortality. The retention of tags was better at the base of pectoral fin followed by the nasal area, lower abdomen, upper abdomen and branchiostegal rays inside the operculum. During the bacterial challenge experiment individual animals could be easily identified using the VIE tags. In this preliminary study, VIE tagging appears suitable for Nile tilapia research, as with other fish species, and could be a novel method to identify individual animals during microbial pathogenesis studies.     

Effect of visible implant elastomers on the growth,survival and tag retention in juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) in laboratory conditions

This study identifies the possibility of using visible implant elastomers (VIE) to tag juvenile Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus). The mean body weight was 2.4 ± 0.4 g, and mean body length 5.5 ± 0.5 cm. Markers in three colours were used: blue, orange and green. Implant elastomers were injected in the rostrum and in the tail shaft. The experiment was conducted over a period of 10 weeks and included also a control group, that is, no tagging. No significant effect of tagging on the specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and condition factor of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon was observed. The fish in all groups increased their body weight more than 10 times, reaching body weight of 25–28 g. The final survival in all of the groups was approximately 40%. The final tag retention varied depending on the implant colour. The highest retention of 100% was obtained with orange VIE and was significantly different from blue and green. Tag retention was dependent on the place of marking (P > 0.05). A correlation was observed between the applied dye and the place of marking (P = 0.0166). The best results were obtained when marking with orange VIE in the rostrum as all markers were visible after 70 days even without the use of UV light. According to our research, marking with VIE does not negatively affect growth and survival of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon and can be recommended for fish with an initial body weight of approximately 2.5 g in the case of short‐term research.     

中国对虾幼虾荧光体内标记技术研究

2004年7月,采用可视嵌入性荧光标记(Visible i mplant elastomer,VIE)对平均体长为4.75cm的中国对虾幼虾进行第6腹节的两部位标记,以研究VIE标记对中国对虾幼虾的适用性。10个家系的幼虾各取30尾,对其中的15尾进行标记,另15尾作为对照,共标记幼虾150尾。本研究分析了标记对虾和对照组的即时死亡率、生长和标记保持率。结果显示,标记对虾和对照组的即时死亡率低,前者为0.6%,后者无死亡。x2检验显示,二者不存在显著差异(P<0.05);通过对30、60d后体长的单因素方差分析,实验组和对照组在体长方面不存在显著差异(P<0.05),表明荧光标记对生长没有影响;标记后30、60d的标记保持率均很高,达到99%以上。2005年7月,对人工定向交尾建立的108个家系(平均体长为4cm)进行了大规模荧光标记,标记后30、60d的标记保持率均在99%以上,越冬后(210d后),对不同标记部位的标记保持情况进行了统计,标记保持率均在90%以上。     

三疣梭子蟹的两种标记技术

本研究采用注射可视嵌入性荧光、剪附肢两种手段对不同期别的三疣梭子蟹进行标记,以研究标记的适用性及对个体生长的影响。对不同发育阶段三疣梭子蟹进行两个部位荧光注射,统计蜕壳后可识别率。结果显示,Ⅱ、Ⅲ期幼蟹适合腹面区域注射,Ⅳ期以后幼蟹适合游泳足基节和头胸甲背面的薄膜关节注射;标记后,经过两次蜕壳,识别率在80％以上,但经3次蜕壳后,识别率较低;根据标记组、未标记组生长数据,通过单因素方差分析发现,标记对三疣梭子蟹个体生长无显著性影响。Ⅶ期以后的幼蟹,更适合剪附肢法,该法操作简单、识别率高,对个体生长、存活无显著性影响（P〉0．05）。     

可见植入荧光标记和编码金属标对达乌尔鳇标志效果的初步研究

2011年9月底至2012年5月,采用可见植入荧光标记(VIE)和编码金属标(CWT)标志全长为(28.06±1.79)cm的达乌尔鳇(Huso dauricus),检验了VIE和CWT的标志保持率及其对达乌尔鳇生长和存活的影响。结果显示,经过210 d实验,VIE标志达乌尔鳇吻部腹面,CWT标志达乌尔鳇背部前(第1～2块背骨板间下方肌肉)、中(第6～7块后背骨板间下方肌肉)、后(第11～12块背骨板间下方肌肉)的标志保持率分别为:95.83%、92.00%、92.59%、92.59%。实验中VIE出现破碎、脱落或迁移致使标志可识别性下降;CWT背部中这一标志部位操作最为简便。标志30 d,VIE标志组的保持率较CWT背部不同部位标志组及对照组低,且差异显著(P<0.05),此后31～210 d并无显著性差异。VIE和CWT背部不同部位标志对达乌尔鳇的生长无显著性差异。结果表明,VIE和CWT均可用于标志达乌尔鳇。进行短期大规模达乌尔鳇的标志放流可使用成本相对较低的VIE标志。     

A comparison of the effect of three common tagging methods on the survival of the galatheid Munida rugosa (Fabricius, 1775)

Three tagging methods – T-bar tags, streamer tags and visual implant elastomer (VIE) – were tested on Munida rugosa and survival was monitored for 8 weeks. The VIE technique appeared not to affect survival (95% survival after 60 d). T-bar tags did not significantly affect short-term survival either, but there was a gradual increase in mortality (52% after 60 d) associated with the presence of black necrotic tissue around the tag wound, suggesting delayed mortality due to infection. Streamer tags as applied in the study are not suitable for this species, since short-term mortality was high (38% survival after 10 d). In conclusion, VIE was found to be the best type of tag to use on M. rugosa, although it is not as visible to the casual observer as the other types, which could be an important consideration if recapture reports from fishers are an important element of a mark-recapture study.     

Experimental assessment of the utility of visible implant elastomer tags in a stock improvement programme for giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in Vietnam

An important requirement of many breeding programmes for aquaculture species is the ability to identify organisms individually or at least by family. While a variety of external and internal tagging methods have been developed that can provide efficient identifications systems, most have specific drawbacks. The present study assessed the efficiency of an internal tagging method that can be applied to family selection programmes in crustacean species. Experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of applying visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags to juvenile giant freshwater prawn (GFP). The first experiment assessed performance of VIE tags in juvenile GFP of different size classes and stability of tags placed in different positions in the abdomen with different numbers of tags implanted. The second experiment applied VIE tags in a long term, large scale, field‐based farming experiment. The third experiment tested the reliability of the system. Results showed that juvenile GFP at 2 g were of suitable size for VIE tags with no negative effects evidence on growth and survival. Tag retention rates were above 97.8% in all experiments and tag readability rates were 100% with a correct assignment rate of 95% through to mature animal size of up to 170 g.     

几种标志方法在渔业资源增殖放流中的应用效果

本文简要介绍了在国内外渔业资源增殖放流中通常使用的几种标志技术和方法.同时,阐述了我国在挂牌标志法、切鳍法、荧光标记法、金属线码标记法、分离式卫星标志法和生物标志法等多种标志方法的实际应用状况,分析比较了近年来在东海区增殖放流中传统标志方法和国外引进的先进标志方法的标志效果,文中最后分析探讨了今后标志技术的改进方向和应用前景.     

A comparison of five external marks for Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Five external marks (Panjet, visible implant tag, hot brand, anal finclip and fluorescent pigment) were compared for retention and effect on marine survival in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., ranching experiments aimed at complementing coded wire tagging. Only fluorescent pigment marks and Panjet marks were found to be effective, with retention rates of 76.9% and 90.0% respectively, after one year at sea. The Panjet was the only mark to significantly reduce marine survival ( P < 0.001) compared with controls.     

5种鱼类标志对草鱼临界游泳速度的影响

采用被动整合雷达标志法(PIT)、切鳍标记、荧光标记、超声波标志和T型标志这5种标志方法对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)进行标记后,测定其临界游泳速度,研究5种不同标记对草鱼游泳能力的影响。将试验草鱼按不同体长分为3组:15~18 cm,18~21 cm,21~25 cm,每个体长组均设置对照组,并分别进行以上5种鱼类标志,测量标志后草鱼的绝对临界游泳速度和相对临界游泳速度。采用SPSS17.0统计软件进行数据的分析比较。研究结果表明,随着体长增加,草鱼的绝对临界游泳速度增大,相对临界游泳速度减小;超声波标志对3个体长组草鱼的临界游泳速度均有极显著影响(P0.01),标志后草鱼绝对临界游泳速度分别下降18.72%、16.40%、23.15%,相对临界游泳速度分别下降18.95%、17.78%、21.86%;T型标志对15~18 cm体长组草鱼的临界游泳速度有极显著性影响(P0.01),标志后草鱼绝对临界游泳速度下降8.35%,相对临界游泳速度下降9.30%,对体长大于18 cm的草鱼无显著性影响;PIT标志、切鳍标记和荧光标记对这3个体长组草鱼的临界游泳速度均无显著性影响(P0.05)。     

The suitability of VIE tags to assess stock enhancement success in juvenile European lobsters (Homarus gammarus)

Assessments of stock enhancement programmes for European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) require mark‐recapture analysis of stocked individuals. However, established tag technology is deemed unsuitable for extensive use by many current lobster hatcheries, particularly upon the early juvenile stages. We tested the suitability of fluorescent Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags for use in 5‐month‐old juvenile lobsters. Three treatment groups comprising 348 cultured lobsters in total were used to examine survival, growth and tag retention, and to assess mobility, shelter use and moulting behaviours. Tagging had no significant effect on lobster survival, growth, mobility, shelter use or moult frequency. Survival over 7 weeks was 75% among lobsters tagged with two elastomers, 76% in those with one elastomer and 74% among untagged controls. Mortality during moulting did not increase in tagged (6%) compared to untagged lobsters (9%). We found no evidence that VIE tags cause any negative effects that would be expected to inhibit survival upon wild release, but tag loss had reached 12% in both tagged treatments after 7 weeks and showed no sign of abating. Our study suggests that VIEs effectiveness in discerning cultured lobsters long after wild release may be limited when used in smaller juveniles.     

The utility of visible implant (VI) tags for marking tropical river fish

In tropical fisheries where ageing fish is often difficult, tagging programmes offer an important means to estimate growth parameters and mortality rates. The majority of tags are large and attached externally via a puncture in the muscle. These characteristics may cause significant biological effects which bias parameter estimates. Visible implant (VI) tags offer a more benign means to individually mark fish. The utility of VI tags for marking five species of tropical river fish was examined. The results indicate that the tag and tagging operation had no influence on either growth or mortality, although tag retention was poor compared with other studies. For three of the five species, the only suitable tagging location was highly inconspicuous and therefore inappropriate for tagging programmes that rely upon fishermen to return tagged fish. Alternative tagging locations may improve retention rates and the visibility of the tag.     

Tagging: on the use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags for the identification of fish

To determine the efficacy of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags for marking rohu Labeo rohita (Ham.) in the selective breeding programme, a series of experiments has been carried out at the Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA) under the Indo–Norwegian project of ‘Selective breeding of rohu’. Six groups of rohu fingerlings with weight ranging from 2 g to 20 g were tagged with PIT tags to determine a suitable size range for tagging. Fingerlings weighing 8–15 g were found to be quite suitable for tagging with a PIT tag. Recovery of the PIT tag depends upon the survival of tagged fish under field conditions. Rejection of the PIT tag by rohu was observed to be only 0.05%. Through effective management practice, the survival of tagged fish increased up to 95%, and thus tag loss was minimized.     

Evaluation of VI-alpha and PIT-tagging of the seahorse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hippocampus abdominalis</Emphasis>

The suitability of visible implant alphanumeric (VI-alpha) and passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tagging to individually identify seahorses (Hippocampus abdominalis) was assessed in two trials. For each trial, 24 seahorses were tagged and mortality, growth, tag retention and tag visibility/readability assessed, together with 24 control seahorses, over a period of 3 months. For VI-alpha tagging, a single tag was inserted under the skin between the first two anterior lateral tail rings of the seahorses. There was no difference in final seahorse length, wet weight, or mean SGR in tagged seahorses, compared with control seahorses, after 3 months. Tag retention was 100%, as was survival, in both treatments. Tag detection with the naked eye was generally poor but improved using LED blue light. However, readability of tag codes was highly variable and insufficiently reliable for VI-alpha to be suitable for identification of individual seahorses. In PIT-tagged seahorses, a single FDX-B transponder was inserted into the abdominal cavity of seahorses. There was also no difference in final seahorse length, wet weight, or mean SGR, compared with control seahorses, after 3 months. Tag retention was also 100%, as was survival in both treatments. Readability of transponders was reliable and quick using a compact reader. PIT-tagging is considered suitable for individual identification of large H. abdominalis.     

Laboratory experiment on survival,growth and tag retention following PIT injection into the body cavity of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta)

A laboratory study was conducted to assess the effect of PIT tagging on survival and growth of young-of-the-year brown trout (Salmo trutta) and evaluate PIT tag loss as a function of body size at tagging. Transponders (11.5 mm long and 2.1 mm in diameter) were injected into the peritoneal cavity of fish ranging from 41 to 70 mm fork length (FL) using hypodermic needles. A total of 145 tagged fish and 136 control fish of similar size were reared over 4 weeks. Logistic regressions show that survival rate reached 95% for fish ≥52 mm FL at tagging (with a tag retention rate >70%), and 99% for fish ≥57 mm FL (tag retention rate >80%). No significant effect of tagging on growth (fork length and weight) was detected at the end of the experiment. The specific growth rate varied markedly among PIT-tagged fish regardless of fork length, weight or tag-to-body-weight ratio at tagging. Results suggest that juvenile brown trout larger than 57 mm FL (tag-to-body weight ratio in water <3.4%) can be marked by injection of 11.5 mm PIT into the peritoneal cavity with negligible effects on survival and growth, but this leads to a relatively high tag rejection rate (up to 20%).     

Tagging effects on three non-native fish species in England (Lepomis gibbosus, Pseudorasbora parva, Sander lucioperca) and of native Salmo trutta

Abstract –  To address the dearth of information on tagging effects and long-term survivorship of tagged fish in native and introduced species, laboratory and field investigations were undertaken on three non-native fish species (pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus ; topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva ; pikeperch Sander lucioperca ) tagged with coded-wire (CW), passive integrated transponder (PIT), radio (RT) telemetry and/or acoustic tags (AT), with survivorship of native brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) examined in the field. Laboratory results revealed high survivorship following tag attachment/insertion and resumption of feeding within 24–48 h of tagging (all mortalities could be attributed to an unrelated outbreak of fungal infection), with retention rates being high in both pumpkinseed and pikeperch but low in topmouth gudgeon (excluded from field studies). In the field, short-term post-operation survival was high in pikeperch, pumpkinseed and brown trout. In pumpkinseed and trout, 100% of RT fish survived a 24–30 day tracking study, with 60% and 80%, respectively, recaptured alive at least 3 months post-tagging. Of PIT tagged pumpkinseed, 44% were recaptured (after 6–18 months), with small-sized, CW-tagged fish (0.38 g weight) captured up to 1 year after tagging. In pikeperch, all AT fish except one (the smallest specimen) survived their full expected tracking period (i.e. tag life) – the single lost specimen survived at least half of its expected tracking period (i.e. 6 month battery life). Overall, the tagging methods used were highly effective in pumpkinseed and pikeperch, showing good retention and survival, but PIT tagging of topmouth gudgeon was plagued by low survivorship and tag rejection.     

Effects of background colour on growth performance,skin pigmentation,physiological condition and innate immune responses of goldfish,Carassius auratus

A study was carried out to investigate the effects of background colour on the growth performance, skin colour, haematology, physiological condition and non‐specific immune responses of goldfish, Carassius auratus. Goldfish were reared in tanks with four different background colours (white, black, blue and red) for 8 weeks. Fish growth performance markedly rose in white background compared with the other treatments. There was no significant difference in haematological parameters or plasma proteins concentrations between treatments. Plasma cortisol of fish reared in red background was significantly higher than that in black and white backgrounds. Plasma antiprotease and lysozyme activities were more than doubled in white and black treatments compared with the red and blue groups. The other immune parameters tested (plasma peroxidase, complement and bactericidal activities) did not significantly change between treatments. Skin carotenoid content and the intensity of fish skin colour extremely diminished in white background. This study revealed that red and blue backgrounds are chronically stressful and immunosuppressive in goldfish. White backgrounds will preferably be used for the culture of goldfish for best fish growth. However, a way to revert the colour loss of goldfish skin reared in white backgrounds remains to be investigated.     

The source of autumn and spring downstream migrating juvenile Atlantic salmon in a small lowland river

Over 3 years, 32,444 age‐0 group Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr tagged with passive integrated transponder tags throughout the River Frome catchment were assigned to one of three groups, nonmigrants, autumn migrants and spring smolts, depending on the detection and the timing of detection at downstream tag readers (situated 8.6 km above the tidal limit). We examined the effect of density at the time of tagging (n·m^?2), distance upstream from the tidal limit (km), fish length (mm), Fulton condition index, habitat type (divided into two types, main river and carrier), days after 1 September that each fish was tagged and year (replication) on the proportions of fish in each of the migration groups. Distance upstream from tidal limit was strongly negatively related to the proportion of autumn migrants and positively related to the proportion of spring smolts. Nonmigrants had a lower average body size than migrants, although there were no differences in the sizes of autumn migrants and spring smolts in September prior to migration. Fish density had no effect on migration strategy. A lower proportion of fish migrated as autumn migrants from the smaller carrier habitats than the main river channel. There is some evidence that those parr destined to become autumn migrants underwent a lower mortality rate during September before tagging than those destined to become spring migrants indicating possible physiological or behavioural differences between these two groups of fish at that time. More research into the factors responsible for initiating the autumn migration is required.     

Tetracycline Immersion Tagging of Cuttlefish,Sepiella japonica,Larvae

This paper describes the results of tetracycline immersion as a means to tag Sepiella japonica larvae, as well as the toxicity of this approach. The purpose of this study was to differentiate wild and artificially bred cuttlefish using tetracycline marking. We studied the effects of tetracycline immersion and marking on cuttlefish larvae with mantle length of 0.45–0.8 cm. To use the optimum concentration of tetracycline for tagging, the toxicity of tetracycline immersion was determined prior to the tagging experiments. All the cuttlebones were successfully marked in yellow and the tag was clearly visible without any assistive tools after the beginning of the experiment. A positive correlation was found between immersion time and depth of tag color. We conclude that tetracycline immersion marking is an effective mass‐tagging method for S. japonica.