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Effects of passive integrated transponder tagging on cortisol release, aerobic metabolism and growth of the Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis
Author(s) -
Reemeyer Jessica E.,
Harris Jasmine C.,
Hernandez Ariel M.,
Rees Bernard B.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.13916
Subject(s) - fundulus , killifish , biology , respirometry , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , biochemistry
The effects of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging on cortisol release, standard metabolic rate (SMR) and daily specific growth rate ( G S ) were evaluated in the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis , a small estuarine fish native to the Gulf of Mexico. Cortisol release by individual fish was measured non‐invasively prior to PIT tagging, immediately after tagging and once per week for 1 month following tagging. Within the first 2 h of tagging, cortisol release rates were significantly elevated compared with values measured prior to tagging and significantly higher than that of fish handled identically except not implanted with PIT tags. By 1 week after PIT tagging, cortisol release rates returned to control levels. SMR, determined by intermittent‐flow respirometry and G S , defined as per cent change in body mass per day, were measured prior to PIT tagging and weekly for 1 month after tagging. Neither SMR nor G S was significantly different in tagged v . untagged fish for the duration of the study. One month after tagging, haematocrit, plasma cortisol, blood glucose and blood lactate did not differ between tagged and untagged individuals. Therefore, after a transient stress response that subsides within 1 week, PIT tagging had no significant effects on these physiological variables in F. grandis , validating its use as a method of marking this and other small fishes.