The effectiveness of an acoustic barrier to deter the movement of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and bighead carp, H. noblis, was evaluated. A pond (10 m, x 5 m x 1.2 m) was divided in half by a concrete-block barrier with a channel (1 m across) allowing fish access to each side. Underwater speakers were placed on each side of the barrier opening and an outboard motor noise (broadband sound; 0.06 – 10 kHz) was broadcast to repel carp that approached within 1 m of the channel. Broadband sound was effective at reducing the number of successful crossings in schools of silver carp, bighead carp and a combined school. Repulsion rates were 82.5% (silver carp), 93.7% (bighead carp) and 90.5% (combined). This study demonstrates that broadband sound is effective in deterring carp and could be used as a barrier in an integrated pest management system.

Recent studies have shown the potential of acoustic deterrents against invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). This study examined the phonotaxic response of the bighead carp (H. nobilis) to pure tones (500– 2000 Hz) and playbacks of broadband sound from an underwater recording of a 100 hp outboard motor (0.06–10 kHz) in an outdoor concrete pond (10 × 5 × 1.2 m) at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Envi- ronmental Science Center in La Crosse, WI. The number of consecutive times the fish reacted to sound from alter- nating locations at each end of the pond was assessed. Bighead carp were relatively indifferent to the pure tones with median consecutive responses ranging from 0 to 2 reactions away from the sound source. However, fish consistently exhibited significantly (P b 0.001) greater negative phonotaxis to the broadband sound (outboard motor recording) with an overall median response of 20 consecutive reactions during the 10 min trials. In over 50% of broadband sound tests, carp were still reacting to the stimulus at the end of the trial, implying that fish were not habituating to the sound. This study suggests that broadband sound may be an effective deterrent to bighead carp and provides a basis for conducting studies with wild fish.

Recent studies have shown the potential of acoustic deterrents against invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). This study examined the phonotaxic response of the bighead carp (H. nobilis) to pure tones (500– 2000 Hz) and playbacks of broadband sound from an underwater recording of a 100 hp outboard motor (0.06–10 kHz) in an outdoor concrete pond (10 × 5 × 1.2 m) at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Envi- ronmental Science Center in La Crosse, WI. The number of consecutive times the fish reacted to sound from alter- nating locations at each end of the pond was assessed. Bighead carp were relatively indifferent to the pure tones with median consecutive responses ranging from 0 to 2 reactions away from the sound source. However, fish consistently exhibited significantly (P b 0.001) greater negative phonotaxis to the broadband sound (outboard motor recording) with an overall median response of 20 consecutive reactions during the 10 min trials. In over 50% of broadband sound tests, carp were still reacting to the stimulus at the end of the trial, implying that fish were not habituating to the sound. This study suggests that broadband sound may be an effective deterrent to bighead carp and provides a basis for conducting studies with wild fish.

This dataset includes the behavioral responses to a broadband sound for common carp in an outdoor concrete pond. Broadband sound (0.06 to 10 kHz) has shown potential as an acoustic deterrent for bigheaded carps, but the response of common carp to broadband sound has not been evaluated. Since common carp are ostariophysians, possessing Weberian ossicles similar to bigheaded carps, it is possible that sound can be used as an acoustical deterrent for all three species.

Invasive silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead (H. nobilis) carp, collectively referred to as bigheaded carps, threaten aquatic ecosystems of the Upper Midwestern United States. Due to extensive ecological impacts associated with these species, prevention of their further range expansion is the aim for fisheries management. Recent behavioral studies indicate bigheaded carps are deterred by acoustic barriers and exhibit negative phonotaxis in response to anthropogenic sound sources (≥ 150 dB re 1 μPa SPLrms). However, the impact of long-term exposure to these sounds on the hearing capabilities of bigheaded carps has not been well documented. In this study, the auditory evoked potential (AEP) technique was used to determine auditory thresholds for both sound pressure (SPL) and particle acceleration levels (PAL) among bigheaded carps before and after exposure to high intensity (155.7 +- 4.7 dB re 1 μPa SPLrms; -8.0 +- 4.7 dB re 1 ms-2 PALrms; mean +- SD) broadband sound. Fish were exposed to sound for 30-min or 24-hr and AEP measurements were taken either immediately after exposure, 48-hr, or 96-hr later.

Silver and bighead carp frequency detection was evaluated in response to 100 Hz to 9 kHz using auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). AEPs, consisting of measured minimum Sound Pressure Levels (SPL; dB re 1 ms-2) and Particle Acceleration Thresholds (PAT; dB re 1 ms-2). SPL and PAT were recorded every 100 Hz from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz plus 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 Hz for five individual Silver Carp and five individual Bighead Carp. Minimum detectable PAT and SPLs were measured at 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 5000 Hz for three individual Common Carp.

Silver and bighead carp frequency detection was evaluated in response to 100 Hz to 9 kHz using auditory evoked potentials (AEPs). AEPs, consisting of measured minimum Sound Pressure Levels (SPL; dB re 1 ms-2) and Particle Acceleration Thresholds (PAT; dB re 1 ms-2). SPL and PAT were recorded every 100 Hz from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz plus 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 Hz for five individual Silver Carp and five individual Bighead Carp. Minimum detectable PAT and SPLs were measured at 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 5000 Hz for three individual Common Carp.

This dataset assesses the responses of native (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoide and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and invasive (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys. Molitrix) fishes to an acoustic stimulus (playback of a 100 hp boat motor. Fish were collected from the Illinois River and Emiquon Preserve and implanted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. Fish movement was monitored using PIT antennas installed in a water control structure (WCS) that connects the Emiquon Preserve to the Illinois River.

This dataset assesses the responses of native (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoide and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) and invasive (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys. Molitrix) fishes to an acoustic stimulus (playback of a 100 hp boat motor. Fish were collected from the Illinois River and Emiquon Preserve and implanted with a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag. Fish movement was monitored using PIT antennas installed in a water control structure (WCS) that connects the Emiquon Preserve to the Illinois River.

Resource managers need effective methods to limit the spread of invasive Asian carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) into new areas. This study evaluated carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to Asian carps in a small outdoor pond. Telemetered silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were monitored for 72h (24h before CO2, 24h during CO2, 24h after CO2) using a two-dimensional acoustic telemetry array to evaluate behavioral responses to CO2. Water quality was measured concurrent with acoustic telemetry to determine the concentration and extent of the CO2 plume. Results are intended to provide information on the potential application of CO2 as an invasive fish deterrent strategy.