EXPERIMENTAL APPLICATION OF VISIBLE ELASTOMER IMPLANTS FOR TAGGING OF PUMPKINSEEDS (Lepomis gibbosus L.)

Abstract. Experimental laboratory tagging of 120 pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus L. with subcutaneous injection of a fluorescent elastomer was done. Visible Implant Elastomers (VIE, Northwest Marine Technology, Shaw Island Washington, WA, USA) was used. Tag position was under anterior part of the dorsal fin. Three colours fluorescent elastomers were investigated: yellow, red and orange. Pumpkinseeds mortality rate, length and weight growth were evaluated for a period of 112 days. Tag retention and visibility on the end of the experiment was assessed. Results show that VIE is an effective tagging method and had no negative effects on pumpkinseed growth and surviving