Arizona fish and game publications

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Obituaries Obituaries. Field data collection has concluded and a final report was completed. Publications related to this work were published in and in Ukrainian fisheries journals, and other publications are now underway. Mechanical control of nonnative aquatic species has often been difficult; yet in some situations, fish populations have collapsed following mechanical control measures. Populations of these fish have been reduced or extirpated throughout its range due to loss and modification of aquatic habitats and the introduction of nonnative species.

The natural-history strategies and requirements of these chub species are poorly understood. Culture techniques and requirements are virtually unknown for this species. The limited information available on culture techniques and general life-history of roundtail and headwaters chub is a deterrent to the recovery of this species. The future of roundtail and headwaters chub may someday depend on hatchery propagation to help restore the species by providing specimens for restocking of formerly occupied habitats and supplementing faltering populations.

Because of the lack of quantitative information on the culture techniques and requirements for roundtail and headwaters chub, we have the following objectives for our study: 1 Establish a brood stock of roundtail and headwaters chub; 2 Determine effective methods to spawn roundtail and headwaters chub in captivity; 3 Determine best methods to grow-out roundtail and headwaters chub in captivity; 4 Test how selected chemical and physical conditions e.

Headwaters chub have been successfully spawned and experiments were concluded on feed type, density and temperature effects on growth. We were unable to spawn roundtail chub in aquaria. A thesis and final report is currently being concluded. Headwaters chub Gila nigra and roundtail chub Gila robusta are endemic to the American Southwest. Asian Tapeworm Dynamics in Mohave Tui Chub in Lake Tuendae, California December Asian tapeworm is a potentially dangerous introduced fish parasite found in many southwestern fishes in the family Cyprinidae.

We used praziquantel as a non-lethal method to monitor Asian tapeworm populations in Lake Tuendae, Zzyzx, California in federally endangered Mohave tui chub, and examined temperature as a cause of non-detections. We found a significant positive relationship between increasing water temperature and increasing prevalence, mean abundance, and mean intensity. Non-detections were caused by small sample size and low infection rates, or not allowing sufficient gut evacuation time, although praziquantel is still effective even at low temperatures.

Additional stressors to fish handling, marking, transport, habitat modifications should be avoided during summer months when water temperature and Asian tapeworm prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance peak. Field work on this project concluded summer A final report was completed in , and results are currently being prepared for publication. Asian tapeworm is a potentially dangerous introduced fish parasite found in many southwestern fishes in the family Cyprinidae.

Methods for Spawning Mohave Tui Chub December The Mohave tui chub Gila bicolor mohavensis is a federally listed fish not previously spawned in captivity. Laboratory spawning can be important for recovery efforts by reducing collection of wild fish for translocations, providing individuals for experimental studies, and ensuring survival of the species. No hormones were used. Three spawning events produced over 1, larval fish used in subsequent growth and survival studies.

The student on this project graduated spring This work was published in in the North American Journal of Aquaculture. The Mohave tui chub Gila bicolor mohavensis is a federally listed fish not previously spawned in captivity. Use of Praziquantel to Control Asian Tapeworm in Pond Microcosms December The anthelmintic drug, praziquantel, kills only the tapeworm stage of the Asian tapeworm life cycle. It does not kill the eggs, coracidia, or procercoid life stages, making it difficult to treat infected fish in systems containing the intermediate copepod host.

Copepods would act as a refuge for the tapeworm from the praziquantal bath treatment. Using microcosms containing the intermediate copepod host, we tested the effectiveness of using a second application of praziquantel to kill tapeworms that may develop from eggs released during the first treatment.

We found no evidence of recruitment in microcosms treated twice for Asian tapeworm. Tapeworm prevalence and intensity in the control tanks remained the same throughout the experiment. We also discuss the potential costs and benefits of using praziquantel to treat populations of fishes in the wild. A final report on this work was submitted spring and a publication on this work is currently in review.

The anthelmintic drug, praziquantel, kills only the tapeworm stage of the Asian tapeworm life cycle. We studied the habitat preferences, reproductive ecology, and movement patterns of Gila chub in Bonita Creek and Cienega Creek, Arizona.

Overall catch density of Gila chub was almost three times greater in Bonita Creek than Cienega Creek, and six times greater for adult chub. Gila chub in Bonita Creek, frequently occurred in a broader range of habitat types and conditions than Gila chub in Cienega Creek. Gila chub in Cienega Creek were highly pool oriented. In contrast, Gila chub in Bonita Creek generally preferred, or used in proportion, swifter shallower habitat types.

Segregation between size classes in relation to habitat variables was noted, but was less than expected. Reproduction appears to commence in February and peaks at the beginning of spring, dropping off as summer begins. Spawning in the fall is suggested by the presence of small YOY and gonad development. Adult and juvenile Gila chub showed little movement. The student is finalized his Ph. Little is known about the natural history of Gila chub Gila intermedia, a moderate-sized cyprinid endemic to the Gila River Basin of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico, recently listed as endangered.

Methods for Gila Chub Culture Gila intermedia December The information needed to effectively culture imperiled native fishes for recovery efforts is lacking for certain species, yet is critical for proper management and conservation. Culture techniques and requirements are virtually unknown for Gila chub Gila intermedia, a species federally listed as endangered.

We identified methods to spawn and rear Gila chub in captivity. Fish were brought to the laboratory in March from Sabino Creek, Arizona Fish were then warmed slowly and spawned at Following this initial spawning, Gila chub spawned consistently in the laboratory without hormonal, chemical, photoperiod, or drastic temperature manipulation, during all times of the year.

Multiple spawning attempts per year per individual are likely. There was a strong, inverse relationship between time to hatch and incubation temperature. We investigated the effect of different feed types on growth, survival, and overt health of larval and juvenile Gila chub. Larval Gila chub fed a commercial larval fish diet grew the same or slightly better than those fed thawed Artemia sp. Despite the latter, observations suggest Artemia nauplii may be difficult for first-feeding larval Gila chub to handle.

Thawed chironomid sp. Overt health of larval and juvenile Gila chub remained largely unchanged during all experiments. Our results have shown first-feeding larval Gila chub may be reared on a natural or prepared diet but we recommend larval Gila chub be fed a natural feed if survival is paramount to objectives.

Based on diets tested we recommend juvenile Gila chub be fed a natural diet if faster growth is paramount to objectives. Further work is suggested to define the nutritive requirements and identify the most efficient feeding regimen for Gila chub. Although growth of small mm TL and large mm TL juvenile Gila chub increased with temperature, differences were not statistically significant. We tested the effect of three different rearing densities on growth, survival, and overt health of larval Gila chub 0.

Mean length and weight gain appeared inversely related to rearing density for larval and large juvenile Gila chub. Survival of larval Gila chub was significantly greater for those groups reared at low densities. Our data strongly support increasing density having a negative effect on growth and survival larval only of Gila chub. These results are being presented in a Ph. One publication on this work was published in the North American Journal of Aquaculture in January The information needed to effectively culture imperiled native fishes for recovery efforts is lacking for certain species, yet is critical for proper management and conservation.

Despite the potential for this parasite to harm native fish populations and its explosive spread into new areas, very little is known about its effects on wild fish populations in the United States. The Asian tapeworm has been responsible for mass mortalities of fish in both cultured and wild populations in Europe. The tapeworm usually kills the host though blockage of the intestine or severe damage to the intestinal walls.

Cyprinids are the largest group of threatened and endangered fishes in both the Southwest and the United States. Cyprinid fishes are very susceptible to infection by the Asian tapeworm. Of those species exposed to Asian tapeworm in a southeastern United States study, small cyprinids living in warm waters had lowest survivorship. Most native cyprinids in the southwestern United States are small, and are living in small streams where water temperatures can be high.

If the history of Asian tapeworm infestations in other areas repeats itself, mortality of cyprinids in many southwestern streams could be significant. We have three objectives for our study: 1 to examine the effects of the Asian tapeworm on the growth and survival of Mohave tui chub by themselves; 2 to examine the effects of the Asian tapeworm on the interactions between mosquitofish and Mohave tui chub; and 3 to examine the population dynamics of Asian tapeworm in Mohave tui chub inhabiting spring systems of the Mohave desert.

This information will be useful not only to southwestern biologists, but others in North America facing potential Asian tapeworm infestations. The student graduated spring The final report was completed in and the results are currently being submitted for publication. Distribution of the introduced Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus achelognathii in the southwestern United States is rapidly increasing. Methods for Spawning Yaqui Chub and Yaqui Topminnow December Development of methods to spawn and rear threatened and endangered fish is necessary for their conservation.

We held mature Yaqui topminnow 2 males and 6 females in L plastic wading pools housed in a greenhouse with an evaporative cooler. We added cobble, gravel, and artificial plants to pools and installed a vertical mesh barrier impassible to larger fish to create refuge for offspring.

Numbers of offspring were variable but reproduction was continuous after the temperature exceeded 21 C. On average, 7. We spawned Yaqui chub in four L glass aquaria stocked with fish per tank. We found Yaqui chub to be broadcast spawners. They spawned at night, and we retrieved tiles containing eggs the following morning and placed them in incubation tanks. Both methods worked well and we recommend them to propagate these species. The student graduated spring , and this work was published in January in the North American Journal of Aquaculture.

Development of methods to spawn and rear threatened and endangered fish is necessary for their conservation. Precautions for Praziquantel Use for Control of Asian Tapeworm September Praziquantel, an anthelmintic, is commonly used to control Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and baitfish during transport.

It is also used for controlling Asian tapeworm in small ponds. We treated several cyprinid fishes, both native and non-native to Arizona, with praziquantel. At the recommended dosage, Praziquantel killed adult tapeworm, but some tapeworm ruptured and released eggs. Eggs released from Asian tapeworm treated with praziquantel were viable and produced coracidia over several days.

Fishery managers should be aware that even if fish receive a typical praziquantel treatment regime and all adult tapeworms are killed, viable eggs and coracidia may be present in the holding water or attached to the skin of treated fish, surfaces of equipment, or to treatment personnel. The student graduated spring , and this work was published in the North American Journal of Aquaculture in Praziquantel, an anthelmintic, is commonly used to control Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and baitfish during transport.

The San Bernardino refuge is home to endangered Yaqui chub Gila purpurea, and Yaqui topminnow Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoreinsis, and our experiment measured the effects of Asian tapeworm on the growth and mortality of these species.

Our experiment employed forty We stocked fish at 2 single species densities and 1 mixed species density to see if competition has an impact on infection effects. We found a significant difference between growth rates of Yaqui chub that were exposed to Asian tapeworm and those that were not.

We did not find a difference between the growth rates of Yaqui topminnow, nor did we find a difference in the mortalities of between exposed and unexposed tanks. The student graduated spring , and this information is currently being compiled for publication.

Asian tapeworm Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, a parasite known to be pathogenic to cyprinid fishes, is established in San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, southeastern Arizona, USA. The Arizona Unit leader was project lead, which involved over biologists from the United States, Canada and Mexico from over agencies, organization, and universities. Protection and management of freshwater fishes was enhanced by these data which provided managers with baselines for examination of population trends, population health and other indicators.

However, further work was needed — these data were inconvenient to access and use. This website 1 has an online expandable database of standard sampling data for comparison, 2 provides an overview of the standard sampling project, and 3 serves as a repository of comments on the published standard sampling procedures, and 4 uses the PHP-based Drupal framework to make it relatively easy to modify the web application to meet initial application needs and the needs that arise as users test and interact with the system.

Users are able to compare condition, growth and abundance of fish collected in a particular waterbody with regional and rangewide averages and percentiles, thus increasing resource information in a variety of areas. Generated broad-scale knowledge is useful in the enhancement of fish habitat and populations on both public and private lands.

This database served as a small demonstration project by USGS, the USGS Cooperative Research Units and other sponsors, and helped demonstrate the usefulness of other larger efforts to provide continental fisheries data. The update will provide the user with more species to compare, significantly more data, and improved function, with the ability to perform summaries by U. Programming on the database is currently underway.

The update will provide the user with more species to compare, significantly more data, and improved function. This data tool is being updated in conjunction with the development of the 2nd edition of Standard Sampling of North American Freshwater Fishes. Development of a Continent-Wide Summaries of Fisheries Data Sampled Using Standard Techniques August As part of the standard sampling book project, we are developing regional and range-wide averages of various fish indices such as condition, catch-per-unit-effort, length frequency, and growth for the most common fish species of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

We made a joint call for data with the American Fisheries Society to all Canadian provinces, American states and to Mexico. From our data call, we received over data from 42 states and provinces. This information will be part of a chapter in the standard sampling book that will have rangewide and regional data averages and ranges for comparison.

It will allow biologists sampling individual water bodies to determine if their fish population is high, average or low for an index compared to what is expected rangewide and for the region. We have developed averages, and the chapter was published August, As part of the standard sampling book project, we are developing regional and range-wide averages of various fish indices such as condition, catch-per-unit-effort, length frequency, and growth for the most common fish species of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes October Standardization in industry, medicine and science has led to great advances.

However, despite its benefits, freshwater fish sampling was generally unstandardized, or at most standardized locally. Standardization across large regions allows for measurement of large-scale effects of climate or geography on fish populations; larger sample sizes to evaluate management techniques, reliable means to document rare species; easier communication; and simpler data sharing. With increased interaction among fisheries professionals worldwide, reasons for wide-scale standardization were more compelling than ever.

Fish and Wildlife Service, U. Bureau of Reclamation, U. This was the largest such project in the history of fisheries science.

Almost 50 United States, Canadian and Mexican fish sampling experts authored a book on the subject. These methods were reviewed by 54 representatives from 33 North American agencies and by biologists from six European and one African country. Final drafts were reviewed by an additional 36 sampling experts. In total biologists from agencies and organizations contributed as authors, reviewers, data providers and sponsors.

Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes, was published in , and described standard methods to sample fish in specific environments so population indices can be more easily compared across regions and time. Environments include ponds, reservoirs, natural lakes, streams and rivers containing cold and warmwater fishes.

This book provides rangewide and regional averages; calculated from over data sets from 42 states and provinces; of size structure, CPUE, growth, and condition for common fishes collected using methods discussed. Biologists can use these data to determine if fish from their waterbody are below, above, or at average for an index. These procedures will be useful to those hoping to benefit from standard sampling programs in their regions. Since publication, these methods are being increasingly adopted across North America.

Three symposiums at the North American meeting of the American Fisheries Society have been held; and numerous presentations on the techniques throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada have been given. Furthermore, keynotes have also been invited and presented in the United Kingdom, South Korea and the Czech Republic discussing the techniques.

Now a 2nd edition is underway with unanimous support from the Fisheries Management Section of the American Fisheries Society, and funding from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Currently design and writing of the book is underway and publication date is slated at Standardization in industry, medicine and science has led to great advances. Habitat Requirements of Larval and Adult Desert Fishes in Cherry Creek, Arizona: Implications for Water Rights Litigation October Knowledge of flow, temperature and other habitat requirements are critically important for protecting desert fish communities.

Recently, mining companies and other interests have been challenging flow requirements for desert streams. As part of team of riparian ecologists, in-stream flow modelers, and fish ecologists we determined the habitat and flow requirements for fishes in Cherry Creek Tonto National Forest , Arizona.

Using a variety of sampling techniques, our goal was to determine which habitats in the creek are suitable for each fish species in the community. We assessed substrate type, water current velocity, depth, and other physical habitat, and water variables, and sampled the fish community. We then analyzed data to unveil the relationships between a given species and the habitat attributes. This information was used to develop habitat suitability criteria.

These criteria were used for in-stream flow models of the creek to determine how different water levels affect desert fish communities. The US Forest Service used this information in test cases for aquatic habitat protection in desert streams.

A technical report was published, preparation for trial re: Cherry Creek commenced, and before the trial, in January , the mining company dropped objection for the protection of in-stream flow in Cherry Creek.

Knowledge of flow, temperature and other habitat requirements are critically important for protecting desert fish communities.

Growth and survival of Apache trout Oncorhynchus Apache under static and fluctuating temperature regimes typical of Southwestern streams: December Increased stream temperatures through global climate change and urbanization will have important implications for fishes worldwide. While there is some information on the effects of elevated water temperatures on Apache trout Oncorhynchus Apache, less is known about effects of increased and fluctuating water temperatures over extended time periods, typical of Southwestern desert streams.

Therefore, we applied static and fluctuating temperature regimes to determine how each affected the growth and survival of Apache trout. Results showed the LT50 for Apache trout under static conditions to be Growth decreased as temperatures approached the LT When comparing static conditions with fluctuating conditions with the same midpoint, growth was less under fluctuating conditions than under static conditions if the temperature fluctuation approached the thermal limit CTMax.

Reduced survival of individual fish, inhibited growth and changes in fish behavior caused by prolonged increased stream temperature will further affect the plight of the species. Therefore temperature tolerance information is critical to those restoring streams for Apache trout and in identifying new stocking locations.

Increased stream temperatures through global climate change and urbanization will have important implications for fishes worldwide.

Does thermal tolerance of fish vary by life stage? December We evaluated upper temperature tolerances by life stage fry-adult of rainbow trout Oncorhychus mykiss mm total length [TL] ; Rio Grande cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarki virginalis mm TL , Apache trout Oncorhynchus apache mm TL , largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides mm TL , Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus mm TL and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus using critical thermal CT tests.

Upper temperature tolerance of different life stages did not differ among the size groups tested in this wide variety of freshwater fishes. Therefore, management and research decisions based on upper thermal tolerance for one size group would be applicable to other size groups within ranges tested. We evaluated upper temperature tolerances by life stage fry-adult of rainbow trout Oncorhychus mykiss mm total length [TL] ; Rio Grande cutthroat troutOncorhynchus clarki virginalis mm TL , Apache trout Oncorhynchus apache mm TL , largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides mm TL , Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus mm TL and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus using critical thermal CT tests.

Critical thermal maximum temperatures CTMax were estimated and data was analyzed using simple linear regression. Because there was either no, or at most, a slight relationship between upper thermal tolerance and size; management and research decisions based on upper thermal tolerance should be similar for the range of sizes within each species we tested.

Simulations suggested increasing shade, either through streamside planting of specific numbers and species of plants or by other means, would be most effective and feasible for cooling the stream reaches we studied. Vegetation survival depends on the appropriateness of site conditions at present and under climate change, and planting in buffer strips minimizes additional water removal from the watershed through evapotranspiration.

Alternative shading options, including thick sedge growth, shade cloth, or felled woody vegetation, may be considered when environmental conditions do not support plantings. Increasing groundwater input can cool streams, but additional sources are scarce in the region. Increasing discharge from upstream may lower water temperature on reaches with an initial discharge greater than 0.

Existing models provide suggestions to cool stream reaches. Further development of accessible software packages that incorporate evaporation, fragmentation, and other projected climate change effects into their routines will provide additional tools to help manage climate change effects.

Products included a thesis and a featured article in a journal. December The Devils Hole pupfish Cyprinidon diabolis is a relic of the last ice age; stranded as receding glacial lakes moved across a drying and warming landscape. Found in a single limestone fissure in Death Valley National Park, the Devils Hole Pupfish has survived in its current location—perhaps the smallest vertebrate distribution in the world—for the last 25, years.

The Devils Hole pupfish itself is an iridescent blue, 2. Recent, dramatic declines in the Devils Hole pupfish population have raised concerns over the future of the species. As there are no remaining refugia for pure-strain pupfish outside of Devils Hole, the possibility of extinction has become quite real. Previous lack of success for rearing fish in laboratory settings coupled with low egg viability further complicate recovery efforts.

Census divers and scientists associated with the Devils Hole program have reported sighting larval pupfish on the stone shelf, as well as adult fish throughout the upper reaches of the water column.

However, there are few reports of middle-age class fish, and with numbers of adults that are significantly lower than previous years, it seems that many larval fish are simply not surviving to the adult age class.

To do this, we examined growth and survival of larval hybrid Devils Hole pupfish, Cyprinidon diabolis x Cyprinidon nevadensis mionectes, fed Rio Grande Silvery Minnow flake food; and monospecific cultures and combinations of cyanobacteria Cyanophyta, green algae Spirogyra spp. We quantified survival, growth, and lifespan of larval hybrids among 14 food treatments.

Larvae fed flake food had significantly higher survival and lifespan than those fed natural food types. Of the natural food types, larvae fed algae or cyanobacteria in monospecific cultures or in combination with invertebrates had the highest survival and lifespan.

Pure invertebrate treatments yielded the lowest survival and lifespan. No significant difference in total length at 14 days was found among treatments. These results were presented in a thesis and are now being prepared for publication. The Devils Hole pupfish Cyprinidon diabolis is a relic of the last ice age; stranded as receding glacial lakes moved across a drying and warming landscape.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Plasticity in Devils Hole Pupfish December Significant phenotypic plasticities have been observed previously in pupfishes when grown under differing environmental conditions. The mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity are being studied in a variety of ways. Controlled cohorts are being compared to identify the individual effects of low dissolved oxygen, low food, and combinations thereof. RNA expression profiles of developing eggs and larvae from these groups will be examined to identify if the plasticity is controlled at an expression level, and SNP microsatellite profiles of the progeny will be compared to those of the parental fish to determine if these environmental conditions can hasten genetic drift.

A small-scale reproduction of Devils Hole is being utilized to mimic as closely as possible, both the biotic and abiotic factors present in Devils Hole. A greater than gallon system has been installed to create a simulated ecosystem with the characteristic low dissolved oxygen, high temperatures and minerals, and highly variable seasonal lighting.

A spawning shelf is included and zones within the system can be individually controlled to simulate the seasonal variations found in Devils Hole.