Evaluation of the new fluorescent internal tag (soft visible implant alphanumeric tag) in the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

The new version of the polyester visible implant alphanumeric tag (VI Alpha tag; Northwest Marine Technology Inc., Shaw Island, Washington, USA) was evaluated in the giant river prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under laboratory conditions. The new VI Alpha tag is soft and fluorescent with an alphanumeric code designed to identify individual specimens. Two tag sizes - standard (1.0 x 2.5 mm) and large (1.5 x 3.5 mm) - were tested on juveniles (standard size), subadults (standard size), and adults (large size) for 10 weeks. Retention, readability, and effects on growth and survival were evaluated. Final mean tag retention was 71.25±3.3% in juvenile prawns, 91.3%±2.73 in subadult prawns, and 59.0%±1.65 in adult prawns. Final tag readability was 100.0% in juveniles, 88.6±5.3 in subadults, and 77.8±4.8 in adults. Average daily growth (mg/day) and SGR (%/day) of tagged juvenile prawns (22.4±0.23 and 0.81±0.02, respectively) did not significantly differ (p>0.05) from that of the untagged control (20.5±1.47 and 0.83±0.04). Similar results were observed in subadult and adult M. rosenbergii. Mean final survival did not significantly differ (p>0.05) between tagged and untagged prawns. Results indicate that tagging M. rosenbergii with VI Alpha tags has no adverse effect on survival or growth and can therefore be effectively used to identify individuals in selective breeding programs.