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Evaluation of a Gastric Lavage Method for Use on Largemouth Bass
Author(s) -
Hakala James P.,
Johnson Frank D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/m03-092.1
Subject(s) - bass (fish) , micropterus , stomach , fishery , gastric lavage , medicine , zoology , biology , anatomy , surgery
Abstract The efficiency and delayed mortality caused by a new gastric lavage device was evaluated for use on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. A 12‐V electric pump was specially fitted to flush stomach contents from largemouth bass larger than 200 mm. The device was easily operated by a single person and removed more than 90% of stomach contents. The lavage technique caused no immediate mortality of largemouth bass. Delayed (7‐d) mortality of largemouth bass undergoing gastric lavage was not significantly different from that of controls. Further, mortality did not vary significantly with body length. Overall, the technique appears to be a viable method for rapidly collecting stomach contents from a broad size range of largemouth bass while causing minimal initial and delayed mortality.