Evidence to Challenge the ''2% Rule'' for Biotelemetry

Abstract Swimming performance was compared among groups of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (5–10 g) with and without intraperitoneally implanted radio transmitters. The generally accepted rule of 2% body weight : transmitter weight was extended to a 6–12% ratio, and swimming performance was not altered by the presence of the transmitter or effects of the operation. Also, no relationship was found between the weight of the fish and its swimming performance among the groups examined. Although we found swimming performance was not affected by implantation of transmitters weighing up to 12% of the body weight, changes in behavior were not evaluated. We suggest further research be done so that the “2% rule” can be replaced by an index with a more scientific basis. Instead of using a scale based on percentage of transmitter to body weight in air, preferred indices could be weight in water, volume of the tag, or both.

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