Black rockfi sh Sebastes schlegelii juveniles(30–40 mm total length) were immersed in a range of calcein(CAL) solutions at concentrations ranging from 50 to 250 mg/L and alizarin red S(ARS) solutions at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 mg/L in fi ltered seawater(salinity 30) for 24 h. Fluorescent marks were detected in otoliths(sagittae, asteriscus), scales, fi n rays(dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal, and caudal fi n rays), and fi n spines(dorsal, ventral, and anal fi n spines) after a 60-d growth experiment. With the exception of 50–100 mg/L CAL, acceptable marks were produced in the otoliths and fi n spines by all concentrations of CAL and ARS. In particular, marks were clearly visible under normal light in the sagittae, asteriscus, and fi n spines of fi sh immersed in 200–500 mg/L, 300–500 mg/L, and 200–500 mg/L ARS, respectively. Scales and fi n rays had acceptable marks at much higher concentrations(≥50 mg/L CAL, ≥300 mg/L ARS for scales and ≥50 mg/L CAL, ≥200 mg/L ARS for fi n rays). The mark quality was highest(i.e., acceptable marks were observed in all sampled structures after immersion marking) in fi sh immersed in 150–250 mg/L CAL or 300–500 mg/L ARS. In addition, there was no signifi cant difference in survival and growth of marked fi sh compared with controls 60 d post-marking( P >0.05).
We tested the utility of chemical marking techniques in the juvenile black rockfish Sebastes schlegelii. Juveniles(30–40 mm total length) were immersed in a range of tetracycline hydrochloride(TC) solutions at concentrations ranging from 300 to 500 mg/L, and alizarin complexone(ALC) solutions at concentrations ranging from 200 to 400 mg/L in filtered sea water(salinity of 30) for 24 h, respectively. Otoliths(sagittae, asteriscus), scales, fin rays(dorsal, pectoral, ventral, anal, and caudal fin rays), and fin spines(dorsal, ventral, and anal fin spines) were sampled and used to detect fl uorescent marks after a 60-day growth experiment. With the exception of 300 mg/L TC, acceptable marks were produced in the otoliths and fin spines by all concentrations of TC and ALC. In particular, we observed clearly visible marks in the sagittae, asteriscus, and fin spines under normal light at concentrations of 200–400 mg/L, 250–400 mg/L, and 250–400 mg/L ALC, respectively. Scales and fin rays had acceptable marks at much higher concentrations(≥350 mg/L TC, ≥250 mg/L ALC for scales and ≥350 mg/L TC, ≥300 mg/L ALC for fin rays). The best mark quality(i.e., acceptable marks were observed in all sampled structures after immersion marking) were obtained following immersion in TC at between 350–500 mg/L, and ALC between 300–400 mg/L. In addition, there was no significant difference in survival and growth of TC and ALC marked fish compared to their controls up to 60 days post-marking( P > 0.05).
