Table 2 Examples of the range of methods used to externally attach electronic tags to fish, several of which are suited to the specific morphology or taxa involved
From: The use of external electronic tags on fish: an evaluation of tag retention and tagging effects
| Method | Example taxon | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing hook at base of dorsal fin attached by nylon tether to transmitter |
Roccus chrysops
white bass | [13] |
| Small fishing hook at base of dorsal fin, attached by stiff nylon tether to PIT tag (highly temporary, minimal handling) |
Alosa sapidissima
American shad | [97] |
| Dorsal fin attachment using miniature alligator clip |
Oncorhynchus clarki
cutthroat trout | [14] |
| Three nylon T-bar tags anchored on pterygiphores used to mount an H-shaped rubber saddle housing the transmitter |
Paranotothenia angustata
black cod | [121] |
| Pop-up satellite transmitter on monofilament tether with medical grade nylon dart harpoon attached at base of dorsal fin (other studies have used stainless steel/titanium darts) |
Thunnus thynnus
bluefin tuna | [123] |
| Steel dart attached to transmitter deployed by pneumatic gun; dart aimed at lateral surface of fish, posterior to second dorsal fin (no internal organs) |
Latimeria chalumnae
coelacanth | [59] |
| Archival tag attached to a barbed nylon pin passed through pre-punched hole in dorsal fin and secured by female half of cattle ear tag |
Galeorhinus galeus
school shark | [101] |
| Pull tie covered in soft tubing attached around caudal peduncle, tag attached to main pull tie |
Sciaenops ocellata
red drum | [15] |
| Absorbable suture attachment through caudal peduncle, tag on one side, soft plate on other |
Esox lucius
northern pike | [24] |
| Ventral attachment at base of anal fin | Seriola quinqueradiata yellowtail | [16] |
| Ventral attachment in mid-section of abdomen |
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod | [114] |
| Pannier (dorsal saddle) attachment with tag and battery components on either side of the dorsal fin |
Salmo trutta
brown trout | [46] |
| Side mount attachment on one side of dorsal musculature, below dorsal fin, with a flexible backing plate on the other side, wire/monofilament through muscle section |
Oncorhynchus mykiss
rainbow trout | [64] |
| Side mount attachment with neoprene pad |
Leuciscus leuciscus
dace | [77] |
| Side mount attachment with soft, spacing mounds |
Cyprinus carpio
Common carp | [105] |
| Anterior-dorsal soft saddle attached superficially |
Esox lucius
northern pike | [95] |
| Posterior dorso-lateral soft saddle harness attached through musculature |
Esox lucius
northern pike | [48] |
| Flattened tag attached to inside of operculum using two lengths of monofilament, fastened outside with washer and crimp | Cebidichthys violaceus | [120] |
| Tag attached to bony appendages on back of fish with polyfilament Dacron tether |
Phycodurus eques
Leafy seadragon | [124] |