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.

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 fish data needed to assess the responses of Upper Mississippi River fishes to an acoustic stimulus (i.e., playback of a 100 hp boat motor). Native ostariophysians (bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas), invasive ostariophysians (bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, common carp Cyprinus carpio, grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and native non-ostariophysians (American eel Anguilla rostrata, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis, lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens, and paddlefish Polyodon spathula) were exposed to a playback of a 100 hp boat motor sound in indoor tanks, and their behavior was monitored for negative phonotaxis and changes in behavior.

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.

Acoustic telemetry data (Vemco, Inc) were collected on invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (H. nobilis) and their hybrids in the upper Mississippi River (navigation pools 15-19) to determine movement patterns and preferred habitats during September 2013 through November 2017. We consolidated these data into intervals of fish within-pool residency and intervals of fish transitions into adjacent navigation pools (i.e., dam passages). The combined data set was then parsed into an "upstream passage" data set (in which downstream passage intervals were censored) and and a "downstream passage" data set (in which upstream passage intervals were censored). We then examined the effects of river hydrology and water temperature on dam passages by bigheaded carps using a complementary log-log model for continuous-time processes to estimate a Cox proportional hazards regression model (Allison 2010).

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.

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.