Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-2003

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Major Professor

J. Larry Wilson

Committee Members

Thomas K. Hill, J. R. Shute

Abstract

The Pigeon River has historically suffered from the cumulative effect of years of pollution and hydrological alternation. TVA noted that the fish community consisted of pollution tolerant species such as gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and goldfish (Carassius auratus). During the past 12-15 years, water quality improvements have brought about the return of some species of fish. Other species have not returned on their own due to population isolation, or non-migratory behavior. Water quality improvements in the river have led state, federal, and private agencies to re-introduce several species into the Pigeon River. To assess the survival of the relocated species, a fluorescent visible implant elastomer (VIE) tagging technique was tested using a surrogate darter species (Etheostoma rufilineatum) in a laboratory setting. Fish were tagged with one of three colors of VIE and observed in aquaria for 125 days. A blue LED light and amber lens were used in conjunction to augment tag visibility. Tag retention after 125 days was 100%, and mortality was zero. Clove oil was evaluated, as an alternative to MS-222, as a possible field anesthetic. The lowest effective concentrations producing knock down times under three minutes were 30 and 40 mg/L of clove oil. Statistical analysis found no significant differences between the mean induction times of these two concentrations. The species considered for initial re-introduction were small, non-game, benthic fish. The first re-introductions were blueside (E. jessiae), bluebreast (E. camurum), and gilt darters (Percina evides). All fish were collected from area streams with similar habitat within the French Broad River drainage. Fish were batch tagged with various colors of VIE before release at one of two re-introduction sites. From 14 March 2001 through 13 March 2003 at Taimery Island and McSween Memorial Bridge, 974 gilt darters, 329 bluebreast darters, and 619 blueside darters were released. Snorkel surveys, during the summer of 2002, revealed substantial numbers of healthy gilt darters, a few bluebreast darters, and no blueside darters at the Tannery Island site. Representatives of all four re-introductions were seen. Additional snorkel surveys were conducted upstream and downstream of Tannery Island to locate fish, which may have moved from that re-introduction site. A number of tagged fish were observed in the riffle just upstream of Tannery Island. Possible blueside habitat has been identified downstream of the McSween Memorial Bridge site and will be sampled during the spring of 2003. What appeared to be a young of the year gilt darter was collected during the annual IBI sampling of the Pigeon River. It was located approximately 26.5 km (8 mi) upstream of Tannery Island. If some gilt darters have migrated further upstream, this may be an indication of successful reproduction by the transplants.

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