A Review of Marking and Tagging Methods for Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and Flathead Catfish

Abstract

Catfishes (Ictaluridae) are among North America’s most important ichthyofauna for human consumption and recreation. As such, research on Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus, Channel Catfish I. punctatus, and Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris has been abundant in historic and contemporary literature. A common technique for studying catfish involves marking or tagging fish to understand behavior, sampling efficiency, and population dynamics. Marking and tagging methods used in these studies may be divided into eight primary types, including fin clips, strap tags, anchor tags, transbody tags, injectable tags, skin alterations, origin markers, and telemetry. Each of these methods is appropriate for specific objectives and characterized by varying retention rates and data resolution (i.e., batch or individual identification) that warrant consideration when designing projects. For example, fin clips may be most appropriate as a short‐term mark requiring batch identification (e.g., stocking evaluation), whereas telemetry might be most appropriate as a long‐term tag requiring individual identification (e.g., habitat selection). This review summarizes marking and tagging methods used for evaluation of Blue, Channel, and Flathead catfish and synthesizes results using examples from previously conducted catfish research. Further discussion is included on information gaps, emerging trends, and guidance for scientists planning and conducting studies that require marking of catfish.

Estimating internal transmitter and external tag retention by Walleye in the Laurentian Great Lakes over multiple years

“…had shed 50% of loop tags by 190 and 250 days postrelease, whereas loop-tag retention remained >90% for Paddlefish Polyodon spathula after 510 days in Energy Lake, Kentucky (Timmons and Howell 1995). The loss of loop tags is typically attributed to entanglement (e.g., coarse woody debris) as fish move through various habitats (Timmons and Howell 1995;Neely et al 2021), although such a mechanism for loss does not seem plausible for the Walleye that were tagged here based on the expectation that these fish would occupy the pelagic areas of large lakes (e.g., Matley et al 2020). Regardless, based on the retention levels that were observed here, loop tags, like T-bar tags, may be best suited for Walleye-tagging studies of relatively short duration unless methods can be developed to increase long-term retention rates.…”

Catfish 2020, A Clear Vision of the Future

“…2012; Neely et al. 2021a, this special issue). In fact, of the peer‐reviewed studies published in the past decade covering fishery techniques, the majority of them have dealt with methods for marking or tagging fish (Holbrook et al.…”

“…This marking and tagging information for the three largest North American ictalurids (Blue, Flathead, and Channel catfish) was well summarized at Catfish 2020 in a review by Neely et al. (2021a), which provides useful guidance on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method as it relates to various objectives in catfish science. Very recently, guidance for tagging madtoms has also become available (D’Amico et al.…”

“…In fact, of the peer-reviewed studies published in the past decade covering fishery techniques, the majority of them have dealt with methods for marking or tagging fish (Holbrook et al 2012;Flemming 2013, 2014;Neely et al 2017;Becher et al 2018;Spurgeon et al 2020). This marking and tagging information for the three largest North American ictalurids (Blue, Flathead, and Channel catfish) was well summarized at Catfish 2020 in a review by Neely et al (2021a), which provides useful guidance on the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method as it relates to various objectives in catfish science. Very recently, guidance for tagging madtoms has also become available (D'Amico et al 2021;Schumann et al 2021).…”

Two Decades of Advancement in Flathead Catfish Research

“…To test the accuracy of a gear, a population of known size must be sampled. Passive integrated transponder tags have high retention when implanted in the dorsal musculature (Daugherty and Buckmeier 2009;Neely et al 2021) and can be used to effectively mark Flathead Catfish populations for markrecapture studies. Further research is also needed to determine why LFE causes fish to surface so far from the boat and what power level is needed to achieve this behavior (i.e., the behavior is difficult to induce under laboratory conditions; Morris 2018*).…”