Swimming performance of upstream migrant fishes in open-channel flow: a new approach to predicting passage through velocity barriers

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 1590-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Haro ◽  
Theodore Castro-Santos ◽  
John Noreika ◽  
Mufeed Odeh
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Open Channel ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Maximum Distance ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Alosa Aestivalis ◽  
Few Data

The ability to traverse barriers of high-velocity flow limits the distributions of many diadromous and other migratory fish species, yet very few data exist that quantify this ability. We provide a detailed analysis of sprint swimming ability of six migratory fish species (American shad (Alosa sapidissima), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni)) against controlled water velocities of 1.5–4.5 m·s–1 in a large, open-channel flume. Performance was strictly voluntary: no coercive incentives were used to motivate fish to sprint. We used these data to generate models of maximum distance traversed, taking into account effects of flow velocity, body length, and temperature. Although the maximum distance traversed decreased with increasing velocity, the magnitude of this effect varied among species. Other covariate effects were likewise variable, with divergent effects of temperature and nonuniform length effects. These effects do not account for all of the variability in performance, however, and behavioral traits may account for observed interspecific differences. We propose the models be used to develop criteria for fish passage structures, culverts, and breached dams.

scholarly journals Morphological differentiation among migratory fish species from the Paraná River basin

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucileine de Assumpção ◽  
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis ◽  
Sergio Makrakis ◽  
Pitágoras Augusto Piana ◽  
Patrícia Sarai da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Paraná River ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Caudal Peduncle ◽  
Parana River ◽  
Maximum Body ◽  
Paraná River Basin

This study characterized the morphological differences among migratory fish species from the Paraná River Basin. A total of 177 adult fish of Leporinus elongatus, Leporinus macrocephalus, Prochilodus lineatus, Salminus brasiliensis, Pimelodus maculatus, Pinirampus pirinampu, Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, Pterodoras granulosus, and Rhaphiodon vulpinus were sampled in the Canal da Piracema, a fish passage system at Itaipu Dam, Paraná River. The migratory species were analyzed through 22 morphometric measurements and fineness ratio to identify morphological patterns related to swimming performance. Four species groups were indicated by the Cluster analysis: I) R. vulpinus; II) P. corruscans; III) L. macrocephalus, L. elongatus, P. lineatus, P. maculatus, and S. brasiliensis - measurements of head height and anal fin length formed this group; and IV) P. granulosus and P. pirinampu - measurements of maximum body width and caudal peduncle width contributed to form this group. The morphometric variables that most contributed to the distinction were head length and mouth width for groups I and II. The species R. vulpinus and P. granulosus differed from other species, showing fineness ratios of 9.4 and 3.7, respectively. Leporinus elongatus, L. macrocephalus, P. lineatus, P. maculatus, and S. brasiliensis showed significant differences from other species, with ratios ranging from 4.57 to 5.19, indicating that these species may be better swimmers. Long-distance migratory species using the Piracema Canal to ascend upstream areas differed morphologically, morphological characteristics such as a narrow caudal peduncle and maximum body length, besides to the values of the fineness ratio, were essential to differentiate the migratory species.

Remediation of a perched stream culvert with ropes improves fish passage

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 440 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O. David ◽  
M. P. Hamer
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
Control Stream

Worldwide, human-mediated disruption of river networks by artificial structures negatively affects migratory fish species. To creatively solve part of this problem, we assessed the effectiveness of mussel spat ropes for improving fish passage past perched culvert structures. We used a before–after–control–treatment design to test our hypothesis that relative abundances of ‘young-of-the-year’ migratory fish species would increase following rope installation in a New Zealand stream. Results following remediation indicated a significant three- to four-fold increase in fish abundance relative to a control stream. Although four species (banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus), redfin bullies (Gobiomorphus huttoni), longfin eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) and shortfin eels (Anguilla australis)) were present at both the treatment and control stream sites, the increased fish relative abundance at the treatment site was driven primarily by an increase in ‘young-of-the-year’ banded kokopu. The present study has shown that mussel spat ropes can significantly improve fish relative abundances above severely perched culverts, but may not be effective for all species present. Future use of ropes for evaluating passage efficacy for other species, and for a wider range of barrier situations globally, may greatly extend the application of this cost-effective tool.

scholarly journals Swimming performance of sauger (Sander canadensis) in relation to fish passage

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (12) ◽  
pp. 2035-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Dockery ◽  
Thomas E. McMahon ◽  
Kevin M. Kappenman ◽  
Matthew Blank
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Habitat Fragmentation ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Open Channel ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Burst Swimming

A lack of information on the swimming abilities of sauger (Sander canadensis), a highly migratory species particularly sensitive to habitat fragmentation, may inhibit the design of effective passage structures for this species. Passage success, maximum ascent distances, and maximum sprint velocities of sauger were estimated in an open-channel flume over a range of water velocities (51, 78, and 92 cm·s−1) and temperatures (10.0, 14.3, and 18.3 °C) to assess swimming performance. Passage success was high (91%) over all test velocities, as was the maximum instantaneous burst velocity (219 cm·s−1). Water temperature and body size had little effect on swimming performance. Sauger transitioned from steady, sustained swimming to unsteady, burst–glide, or steady burst swimming at 97 cm·s−1. Sauger were capable of sustained sprints of 124 cm·s−1 over 15 s duration in a swim chamber. Results suggest passage structures with water velocities less than 97 cm·s−1 should provide high probability of successful passage of adult sauger, whereas structures with water velocities exceeding 219 cm·s−1 may be impassable.

scholarly journals Swimming Performance of Rainbow Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout in an Open-Channel Flume

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-225
Author(s):  
Matt D. Blank ◽  
Kevin M. Kappenman ◽  
Kathryn Plymesser ◽  
Katharine Banner ◽  
Joel Cahoon
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Open Channel ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Weighted Least Squares ◽  
Fork Length ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Abstract We used an open-channel flume to characterize the swimming performance of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi ranging nominally in fork length from 15 to 30 cm. With an open-channel flume, we observed volitional swim performance of wild-caught Rainbow Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout; the fish were not coerced, prodded, or spooked into action. We also observed the maximum short-duration swim speed of the fish, providing important effective leap or velocity challenge information for the design of intentional barriers. We conducted the experiment with a consistently low water velocity challenge and characterized swim speeds by using weighted least-squares regression, revealing no evidence of a difference in swim speeds between the two species. We estimated the overall average swim speed for Rainbow Trout to be 0.84 m/s (SE = 0.02), with a 95% confidence interval of 0.79–0.89 m/s, and that for Westslope Cutthroat Trout to be 0.84 m/s (SE = 0.03), with a 95% confidence interval of 0.78–0.90 m/s. The maximum swim speeds observed were 2.72 m/s for Rainbow Trout and 3.55 m/s for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The project results provide new information on the swimming ability of wild Rainbow Trout and Westslope Cutthroat Trout that can be used to improve fish passage or barrier design.

scholarly journals Swimming performance traits of twenty-one Australian fish species: a fish passage management tool for use in modified freshwater systems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jabin R. Watson ◽  
Harriet R. Goodrich ◽  
Rebecca L. Cramp ◽  
Matthew A. Gordos ◽  
Yulian Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Freshwater Systems ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
The Impact

AbstractFreshwater ecosystems have been severely fragmented by artificial in-stream structures designed to manage water for human use. Significant efforts have been made to reconnect freshwater systems for fish movement, through the design and installation of dedicated fish passage structures (fishways) and by incorporating fish-sensitive design features into conventional infrastructure (e.g. culverts). Key to the success of these structures is making sure that the water velocities within them do not exceed the swimming capacities of the local fish species. Swimming performance data is scarce for Australian fish, which have a reduced swimming capacity when compared to many North American and European species. To help close this knowledge gap and assist fisheries management and civil engineering, we report the swimming performance capacities of twenty-one small-bodied fish and juveniles (< 10 cm) of large bodied species native to Australia as measured by critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and burst swimming speed (Usprint) in a recirculating flume. This data is complemented by endurance swim trials in a 12-meter hydraulic flume channel, and by measures of flume traverse success. Building on the utility of this dataset, we used a panel of morphological, behavioural and ecological traits to first assess their relative contributions to the observed swimming performance data, and second, to determine if they could be used to predict swimming performance capacity – a useful tool to assist in the management of species of conservation concern where access to swimming performance data may be limited. We found that body length combined with depth station (benthic, pelagic or surface) explained most of the interspecific variation in observed swimming performance data, followed by body shape and tail shape. These three traits were the most effective at predicting swimming performance in a model/unknown fish. This data will assist civil engineers and fisheries managers in Australia to mitigate the impact of in-stream structures on local fish populations.

scholarly journals A description of mercury in fishes from the Madeira River Basin, Amazon, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanderley Rodrigues Bastos ◽  
Mauro de Freitas Rebelo ◽  
Márlon de Freitas Fonseca ◽  
Ronaldo de Almeida ◽  
Olaf Malm
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Madeira River ◽  
Interspecies Variability ◽  
Total Hg ◽  
Madeira River Basin ◽  
Hg Accumulation

Over the last 20 years several projects carried on the Madeira River basin in the Amazon produced a great amount data on total Hg concentration in different fish species. In this paper we discuss temporal trends in Hg contamination and its relation to body weight in some of those fishes, showing that even within similar groups, such as carnivorous and non-migratory fish, the interspecies variability in Hg accumulation is considerable.

scholarly journals Addressing fish-passage issues at hydropower and irrigation infrastructure projects in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee J. Baumgartner ◽  
Arif Wibowo
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Tropical Island ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Barrier Effects ◽  
Sumatra Island ◽  
Irrigation Infrastructure

Development activities threaten the long-term sustainability of tropical floodplain systems. The construction of dams, weirs, irrigation infrastructure and regulators affect connectivity among habitats and can facilitate rapid declines in riverine biota, especially fish. Indonesia is a tropical island country with an abundance of monsoonal rivers. Massive expansions in hydropower and irrigation infrastructure are planned over the next two decades and mitigation measures will be needed to protect migratory fish. Most Indonesian freshwater fish need to migrate among habitats to complete essential life-history stages. So, strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the barrier effects of river infrastructure to ensure the long-term sustainability of river fishes. A common tool used worldwide is the construction of upstream and downstream fish passes. Only two fish passes exist in Indonesia. One at Perjaya Irrigation Dam on the Komering River (Sumatra island) and another on Poso Dam on the Poso River (Sulawesi island). Neither of these structures has been assessed and many other projects are proceeding without considering potential impacts on fisheries. The proposed infrastructure upgrades over the next two decades provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure that migratory fish are adequately protected into the future.

scholarly journals Comparing on site human and video counts at Igarapava fish ladder, south eastern Brazil

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Bowen ◽  
Simone Marques ◽  
Luiz G. M. Silva ◽  
Volney Vono ◽  
Hugo P. Godinho
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Accurate Method ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Human Observer ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Prochilodus Lineatus ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Fish Ladder ◽  
Number Of Individuals

On site human observations and video images were collected and compared at the window of the Igarapava Dam fish ladder (IDFL), rio Grande , Southeastern Brazil, between March 1st and June 30th, 2004. We conducted four experiments with two humans (Observer 1 and Observer 2) observing fish passage in the IDFL window while a Sony 3CCD video camera (Observer 3) recorded fish passage at the same time. Experiments, each one hour in length, were distributed throughout the diel cycle using full spectrum lights. We identified fish species, the number of individuals for each species, and the real time that they passed. Counts from each human observer were compared to the video counts. The fish species most commonly observed in the window were - curimba (Prochilodus lineatus), mandi-amarelo (Pimelodus maculatus), piau-três-pintas (Leporinus friderici) and ferreirinha (Leporinus octofasciatus). The number of species and individuals were indistinguishable for the three observers. But, the number of species and individuals were significantly different among experiments. Thus, the three observers register the same number of species and count the same number of individuals even when these two response variables differ significantly among experiments. Based on these results, we concluded that the video count was an accurate method to assess fish passage at the IDFL.

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