Marking Larval Largemouth Bass with Radiostrontium

Abstract

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were marked by exposing newly-hatched prolarvae to 6.4, 11.3, and 16.8 μCi 85Sr/liter pond water for 7 days. Embryos were collected by pipette from nests in ponds and incubated to hatching in disposable aquaria m the laboratory. Radiostrontium accumulation from water continued throughout the first week of postembryonic life but was most rapid after the fourth day of exposure. In another study the techniques were found useful for quantifying predation on larval bass by aquatic invertebrates.