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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This data set contains auditory evoked potentials for four species of invasive carp; silver carp, black carp, grass carp, bighead carp, as well as goldfish (100-150 millimeters in total length) and behavioral thresholds on goldfish in a tank (dimensions 240 centimeters X 100 centimeters; depth of 25 centimeters) at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO USA. Ambient sound and experimental tones were recorded using a hydrophone (STD 300; Ocean Instruments, Auckland, NZ) located where fish were placed in the experimental setup. Auditory evoked potentials were collected using a signal processor and bioamplifier (RZ6 and 4Z, Tucker-Davis Technology, Florida, USA) and recorded using the BioSigRZ software (Tucker-Davis Technology, Florida, USA). The stimulus was 100 ms tone bursts at 300, 500, 800, 1000, and 1500 Hz with a cosine-squared gate and 10 ms rise and fall time. Behavioral thresholds were collected for goldfish. To determine threshold, tones were presented to a conditioned fish beginning at approximately 30 decibels (dB) re 1 micropascal above the expected threshold. Each time the goldfish showed detection (suppressing respiration), the tone was lowered by 10 dB. When the fish did not respond, the tone level was increased by 5 dB for a final presentation. Water temperature of the tank was collected with a data logger (HOBO data logger, OnSet, Massachusetts, USA).

This data set includes acoustic telemetry positions for silver carp ranging in total length from 251 to 359 mm (mean = 294 mm) and weight 131 – 427 g (mean = 231 g) tagged with 795-LD transmitters in four earthen ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA. Positions were monitored using a 16-hydrophone array in each pond before and during a series of trials where fish were exposed to one of three acoustic signals for a length of 30 minutes. Trials occurred from June 11 to August 7, 2018. The telemetry positions were filtered to include 30 minutes before silver carp were exposed to one of three acoustic signals, and 30 minutes during signal playback. This was repeated for five trials with a new lot of fish for each trial, but Trial 4 data were excluded from the dataset due to fish health concerns.

This data set includes acoustic telemetry positions for silver carp ranging in total length from 251 to 359 mm (mean = 294 mm) and weight 131 – 427 g (mean = 231 g) tagged with 795-LD transmitters in four earthen ponds at the Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO, USA. Positions were monitored using a 16-hydrophone array in each pond before and during a series of trials where fish were exposed to one of three acoustic signals for a length of 30 minutes. Trials occurred from June 11 to August 7, 2018. The telemetry positions were filtered to include 30 minutes before silver carp were exposed to one of three acoustic signals, and 30 minutes during signal playback. This was repeated for five trials with a new lot of fish for each trial, but Trial 4 data were excluded from the dataset due to fish health concerns.

Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) occur in large regions of the Mississippi River drainage, outcompete native species, and are notorious for their prolific jumping behavior. Juvenile and adult (up to 25 kg) carp are known to jump up to 3 m above the water surface in response to moving watercraft. Broadband sound recorded from an outboard motor (100 hp at 32 km/hr) can modulate their behavior in captivity; however, the response of wild silver carp to broadband sound has yet to be determined. This data set includes information regarding the sound produced by outboard motor and speakers in the field and will help in determining effectiveness of the usage of control techniques in the management of carps.