Bureau of Reclamation - Lower Colorado Region

Description

The purpose of this project is to evaluate whether bonytail (Gila elegans) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) exposed to a fish alarm substance will elicit a fright reaction to predators. If predator naïve hatchery fish can be trained to recognize and avoid predator dangers, post stocking mortalities attributed to predation may decrease. Previous training research has generally exposed prey fish to predators by using either models or predators in tanks adjacent to prey tanks. The goal here is to give prey species exposure to as many predator cues as possible, and thus the best method for predator exposure is a normally behaving predator in the same tank (and ultimately pond) as the prey species. This project will employ a unique technique using botulinum toxin to paralyze jaw-opening muscles in the predators.

Who can apply

• Unrestricted

Contact

Shawna Thompson <br/>Grants Officer <br/>Phone 702-293-8570
smthompson@usbr.gov