Effects of Fin-Clipping on Mortality and Growth of Yellow Perch with a Review of Similar Investigations

Abstract

Fin-clipped and control young-of-the-year yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were held in a hatchery pond for a year. Survival did not differ among controls and fish which had a left pectoral, right ventral, or both ventrals clipped but survival was lower in those with an anal fin clip. Growth did not differ among controls and clipped perch except in those with a left pectoral clip, which were smaller. Hence, survival and growth did not appear to be related. This and other studies indicate that fin-clipping reduces survival in fry, may or may not affect survival and growth of fingerlings, and has little effect on larger fish. Various investigations have provided little evidence that predation is an important source of excess mortality among fin-clipped fish.