Periphyton and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Response to Antimycin Piscicide During Brook Trout Restoration

ABSTRACT The piscicide antimycin has been used as an effective fish toxicant to eradicate nuisance fishes because it is not as detectable by fish as other chemical piscicides. We evaluated the effects of antimycin and its detoxicant, potassium permanganate, on periphyton and benthic macroinvertebrates during a brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) restoration project in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Sites within adjacent treated and untreated streams were sampled before and after treatment to remove non‐native rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). We observed negative effects on periphyton with a reduction in chlorophyll a up to 1‐month post‐treatment. The treatment also had significant, short‐term (< 1 month) effects on two macroinvertebrate orders (Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera) ( p = 0.0003), but effects were not long‐lasting (i.e., < 1 year) ( p = 0.905). These results suggest that antimycin can be used effectively to reduce non‐native fish species in sensitive coldwater streams with only short‐term effects on aquatic biodiversity and native fish food resources.