Fish tissue samples to assess reproductive and developmental abnormalities, Barataria Bay, LA, 2011

We sampled fish from 10+ sites in and around Barataria Bay, Louisiana and from reference sites in Texas between August and October 2011. Fish were collected using minnow traps or seine at each field site. Sediment was collected using a sediment sampler at each site. Water samples at each site were collected into pre-cleaned Qorpak bottles. Data on phenotypic sex were collected by analysis of secondary sex characteristics and visual inspection of gonadal morphology. Fish weight was determined using a digital balance. Total and standard length were determined using a metric ruler. Blood was collected from euthanized fish by severing the caudal vein. Blood hematocrit was determined using a hematocrit centrifuge and standard hematocrit scale. Water quality measurements were collected using a YSI water quality meter.