Stream Fish

[Alexnetherton]

Hi folks. I am thinking of starting a study of the fish found in local streams, their population density, species distribution, relative density in the habitat and other things as I think of them. My area is Western North Carolina in the Asheville area. I am looking for techniques other than electroshock that I can use to collect, enumerate, identify, and release unharmed. This is very important to me, as I do not like to kill anything I am not going to eat. 
If there is anybody out there that would like to help me, or maybe get a school or youth group involved, please let me know. I have had over 10 years of experience with Environmental Education (age groups from Kindergarten through High School, plus Elderhostel), plus graduate studies experience in Ichthyology.

Wish me luck...

[gioman]

Hi,

I am not volunteering for your project but I do have a question concerning wild creatures in the streams of Western NC.  I have a small stream going through my property and the other day I was doing some work in the stream and saw a small crab..yep, I am sure that is what it was.  About an inch in diameter with two claws wanting to pinch me.  I picked him up on a small shovel and tossed him further down the stream and went back to my work..  I have seen several interesting creatures in the stream, no fish however as the stream is too small.  I got to thinking on this crab and did some google searching and behold, there is no indication that crabs live in mountain streams.  I know there are fresh water crabs and are there are fresh water crab farms.  I was sane and sober when I found mr crab but  I wish I had put him in my small aquarium until I did the research.

Any ideas??
keith

[jblake]

you might look into using siennets across the sraem and having some folks walk down from upstream with sticks trashing the water to make alot of noise thus traping the fish? less death that way but alittle slow and labor intensive. another thing i've read is using buckeye seeds ground up in a bucket of water and poured upstream from a net. it knocks them out but i don't know what the death rate is.

[jee]

you may want to check with NCWRC to determine if you need a collections permit and what methods can be used.  I doubt poisoning will be allowed.