Hadis Mirali - Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, Guilan University, Sowme sara
Ali Bani - Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Guilan University, Rasht
Javad Fasihi Ramnadi - Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, Tehran

Now a day stable isotopes technique is applied for tagging of fish. In this study, theeffectiveness of tagging Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) juvenile’s pectoral finspine by a stable barium isotope was evaluated. Fish were reared in water exposed to0 (control), 30, 60 or 90 μg L-1 137 Ba for 1, 3 and 5 days. Specimens of each treatmentwere kept for 14 days post-labelling to assess effects of this technique on fish growthand its health. The concentration of 137 Ba were analyzed by ICP-OES. Isotope marksin the pectoral fin spines were found at the first day of tagging. Barium levels inmuscle were less than allowed limit for daily consumption of this element (P<0.05).Concentrations of barium in muscle were significantly different than that of water(P<0.05). The length and weight of Persian sturgeon during the experimental periodshowed that isotope immersion did not negatively affect early growth. Enriched Bastable isotopes can therefore be used at low dosages to mark of fishes, withoutadverse effects on the health of the fishes or on humans who may consume them.

Stable isotopes, Marking, Pectoral fin spine, ICP-OES