ASFB Home > The effects of spatial and temporal factors on the abundance of seven key finfish species along south-western Australia.

Movement and Habitat Use of Sub-Adult Carp and Murray Cod in the Murray River.

Matthew Jones and Ivor Stuart

Department of Natural Resources & Environment, HEIDELBERG, AUSTRALIA

THEME: ASFB

Movement is an important component in the life history of most freshwater fish species. Movement constitutes the mechanism by which individuals come into contact with essential habitats for growth, spawning and also to avoid predation. In the present study we used radio-telemetry to investigate the movement patterns of sub-adult carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) in the Murray River at Barmah. The study was conducted to address a key knowledge gap in our understanding of the ecology of juvenile fish within inland rivers. Ten fish of each species were fitted with internal transmitters and intensively tracked over a six-week period in March/April 2001. Analysis of the radio-tracking data revealed that sub-adult carp occupied a considerably larger home range than Murray cod and preferred offstream habitats with woody debris and dense macrophytes. In contrast, sub-adult Murray cod preferred mainstream habitats and in particular areas with woody debris. The implications of this information for management of Murray cod populations and control of carp numbers will be discussed.