Table 2 Examples of the range of methods used to externally attach electronic tags to fish, several of which are suited to the specific morphology or taxa involved

Fishing hook at base of dorsal fin attached by nylon tether to transmitter

Roccus chrysops

white bass

[13]

Small fishing hook at base of dorsal fin, attached by stiff nylon tether to PIT tag (highly temporary, minimal handling)

Alosa sapidissima

American shad

[97]

Dorsal fin attachment using miniature alligator clip

Oncorhynchus clarki

cutthroat trout

[14]

Three nylon T-bar tags anchored on pterygiphores used to mount an H-shaped rubber saddle housing the transmitter

Paranotothenia angustata

black cod

[121]

Pop-up satellite transmitter on monofilament tether with medical grade nylon dart harpoon attached at base of dorsal fin (other studies have used stainless steel/titanium darts)

Thunnus thynnus

bluefin tuna

[123]

Steel dart attached to transmitter deployed by pneumatic gun; dart aimed at lateral surface of fish, posterior to second dorsal fin (no internal organs)

Latimeria chalumnae

coelacanth

[59]

Archival tag attached to a barbed nylon pin passed through pre-punched hole in dorsal fin and secured by female half of cattle ear tag

Galeorhinus galeus

school shark

[101]

Pull tie covered in soft tubing attached around caudal peduncle, tag attached to main pull tie

Sciaenops ocellata

red drum

[15]

Absorbable suture attachment through caudal peduncle, tag on one side, soft plate on other

Esox lucius

northern pike

[24]

Ventral attachment at base of anal fin

Seriola quinqueradiata yellowtail

[16]

Ventral attachment in mid-section of abdomen

Gadus morhua

Atlantic cod

[114]

Pannier (dorsal saddle) attachment with tag and battery components on either side of the dorsal fin

Salmo trutta

brown trout

[46]

Side mount attachment on one side of dorsal musculature, below dorsal fin, with a flexible backing plate on the other side, wire/monofilament through muscle section

Oncorhynchus mykiss

rainbow trout

[64]

Side mount attachment with neoprene pad

Leuciscus leuciscus

dace

[77]

Side mount attachment with soft, spacing mounds

Cyprinus carpio

Common carp

[105]

Anterior-dorsal soft saddle attached superficially

Esox lucius

northern pike

[95]

Posterior dorso-lateral soft saddle harness attached through musculature

Esox lucius

northern pike

[48]

Flattened tag attached to inside of operculum using two lengths of monofilament, fastened outside with washer and crimp

Cebidichthys violaceus

[120]

Tag attached to bony appendages on back of fish with polyfilament Dacron tether

Phycodurus eques

Leafy seadragon

[124]