Brown and black bullheads: Application of a biocide

Overall effectiveness category Beneficial
Number of studies: 2
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

80%
Certainty

80%
Harms

not assessed

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Biocides may offer a tool for localised eradication or population reduction of bullheads, provided potentially negative effects on native species are carefully managed.

Rotenone has been successfully used to control populations of bullheads and other fish. For example, in the UK, studies have reported that rotenone successfully reduced or eradicated populations of topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva and fathead minnows Pimephales promelas, from ponds and lakes (Britton et al. 2008; Britton et al. 2011). A risk assessment for piscicidal formulations of rotenone suggests that mortality of bullheads can be achieved with 5-100 parts per billion of rotenone active ingredient, or 100-200 parts per billion of rotenone active ingredient in organic rich ponds, diluted in 38 litres of water, although no scientific evidence was provided (Turner et al. 2007).

It has been suggested that Antimycin is less useful for control of bullheads than rotenone as Antimycin is very toxic to scaled fishes, but is much less toxic to scaleless catfishes (Order Siluriformes), which includes the bullheads (Clearwater et al. 2008).

Britton R., Brazier M., Davies G.D. & Chare S.I. (2008) Case studies on eradicating the Asiatic cyprinid Pseudorasbora parva from fishing lakes in England to prevent their riverine dispersal. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 18, 867-876.

Britton R., Copp G.H., Brazier M. & Davies G.D. (2011) A modular assessment tool for managing introduced fishes according to risks of species and their populations, and impacts of management actions. Biological Invasions, 13, 2847-2860.

Clearwater S.J., Hickey C.W. & Martin M.L. (2008) Overview of potential piscicides and molluscicides for controlling aquatic pest species in New Zealand. Science for Conservation, 283, 1-74.

Turner L., Jacobson S., & Shoemaker L. (2007) Risk Assessment for Piscicidal Formulations of Rotenone. Compliance Services International, Washington, USA. 104pp.

Study locations

Key messages

A study in the UK reported that use of a piscicide containing rotenone achieved eradication of black bullhead.
A study in the USAfound that rotenone successfully eradicated black bullhead, but one of two ponds required two separate doses.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A study in 2014 at a fishery in Essex, UK (Environment Agency Invasive Species Action Group 2014) reported that use of a piscicide containing rotenone achieved eradication of black bullhead Ameiurus melas. The piscicide was applied using a boat and a bank based application system. Dead fish were removed using nets. During and after the operation, regular water samples were taken to monitor the level of rotenone.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Environment Agency Invasive Species Action Group . (2014) Non-native species newsletter: spring edition. Environment Agency Invasive Species Action Group report, 4.
A study from 2001-2003 in two ponds in Illinois, USA (Towey 2007) found that rotenone successfully eradicated black bullhead Ameiurus melas, but one pond required two separate doses due to an incomplete initial kill. Rotenone was applied in December 2001 using a motorised and hand-pumped sprayer at concentrations of 7 parts per million or 3.5 parts per million, with dose dependent on apparent fish susceptibility. It was applied from several points along banks to ensure complete coverage. A second application was applied in January 2003 as black bullhead catfish were not eliminated in 2001. Ponds were sampled with wire minnow traps, D-frame nets and visual observations to ensure fish had been eliminated.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Towey J.B. (2007) Influence of fish presence and removal on woodland pond breeding amphibians. MSc thesis. Eastern Illinois University.

Please cite as:

Aldridge, D., Ockendon, N., Rocha, R., Smith, R.K. & Sutherland, W.J. (2020) Some Aspects of Control of Freshwater Invasive Species. Pages 555-87 in: W.J. Sutherland, L.V. Dicks, S.O. Petrovan & R.K. Smith (eds) What Works in Conservation 2020. Open Book Publishers, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Control of Freshwater Invasive Species

Related Actions

Actions	Effectiveness	Category
Brown and black bullheads: Using a combination of netting and electrofishing Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Brown and black bullheads: Changing salinity Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link
Brown and black bullheads: Biological control using native predators Action Link	No evidence found (no assessment)	Synopsis Link