(Left to Right) Mike Leis, volunteer, Eric Leis, a fishery biologist for the La Crosse Fish Health Center, and Jim Robinett, of the Shedd Aquarium, take time to pose for a picture during the annual goby roundup/carp corral.

Eric Leis, Fishery Biologist for the La Crosse Fish Health Center, holds up a large bighead carp which was caught during the annual goby roundup/carp corral.

EPC (Epithelioma papulosum cyprini) cells which are infected with Aquareovirus. Notice the giant cells (arrows) which is a characteristic cytopathic effect of Aquareoviruses.

Uninfected EPC (Epithelioma papulosum cyprini) cells.

Along with multiple federal, state, private and corporate partners, Eric Leis from the La Crosse Fish Health Center and volunteers Jeff Johnson, Mike Leis, and Jim Robinett participated in the 2008 Goby Round Up and Carp Corral this June 16-20.  This is an annual event that is organized by the La Crosse National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.  Throughout the week, 155 bighead, silver, grass and common carp were netted and sampled for viruses.  The test results indicated that the silver carp were positive for Aquareovirus.  Aquareoviruses are a diverse group of viruses which infect many fish and shellfish.  They are generally non-pathogenic, however, some have been associated with large mortalities.  The bighead, grass, and common carp tested were negative for viruses. The crew was interviewed by reporters from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the LaSalle/Peru NewsTribune.