Broadband sound can induce jumping behavior in invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Abstract

Invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) are notorious for their prolific and unusual jumping behavior. Juvenile and adult (∼25 kg) carp can jump up to 3 m above the water surface in response to moving watercraft; however, it is unclear what is the trigger that elicits jumping. Broadband sound (0.06 - 10 kHz) recorded from an outboard motor (100 hp at 32 km/hr), elicited jumping behavior in wild fish when played from speakers mounted on a slow moving (3 - 6 km/hr) boat in the Spoon River near Havana, Illinois. Fish jumped in 100% of the sound trials, implying that broadband sound elicits jumping. The findings suggest that anthropogenic sound can be used to alter the behavior of silver carp and has implications for deterrent barriers or herding fish for removal.