Piscine orthoreovirus‐3 is prevalent in wild seatrout (Salmo trutta L.) in Norway

In 2017, a PCR‐based survey for Piscine orthoreovirus‐3 (PRV‐3) was conducted in wild anadromous and non‐anadromous salmonids in Norway. In seatrout (anadromous Salmo trutta L.), the virus was present in 16.6% of the fish and in 15 of 21 investigated rivers. Four of 221 (1.8%) Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) from three of 15 rivers were also PCR‐positive, with Ct‐values indicating low amounts of viral RNA. All anadromous Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus L.) were PCR‐negative. Neither non‐anadromous trout (brown trout) nor landlocked salmon were PRV‐3 positive. Altogether, these findings suggest that in Norway PRV‐3 is more prevalent in the marine environment. In contrast, PRV‐3 is present in areas with intensive inland farming in continental Europe. PRV‐3 genome sequences from Norwegian seatrout grouped together with sequences from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) in Norway and Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch Walbaum) in Chile. At present, the origin of the virus remains unknown. Nevertheless, the study highlights the value of safeguarding native fish by upholding natural and artificial barriers that hinder introduction and spread, on a local or national scale, of alien fish species and their pathogens. Accordingly, further investigations of freshwater reservoirs and interactions with farmed salmonids are warranted.     

Genetic effects and growth performance in pure and hybrid strains of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) (Order: Salmoniformes, Family: Salmonidae)

Progeny from a cross of two strains of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), displayed about 7% heterosis in their growth rate. Variance component analysis showed that dams accounted for 20.3% to 65.8% variability in growth while sires accounted for none. Maternal effects were significant, but showed a diminishing trend over the study period. Additive genetic effects were nonsignificant. The Mount Lassen strain was better in maternal ability which indicated that source of dam was important. Interactions between sires and dams were significant with source of dam being important. Heritability for weight based on half-sib sire component of variance was estimated at 0.020 ± 0.001 and 0.269 ± 0.016 based on the dam component. Heritability for growth rate was 0.27 ± 0.04 based on the sire component and 0.88 ± 0.35 based on the dam component. Fulton's condition factor was lower in the hybrids. Egg size was correlated with fish size in the early growth phase. It was concluded that crossbreeding of rainbow trout strains could be advantageous owing to the display of hybrid vigour in the progeny.     

A comparative tissue distribution study of oxytetracycline in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)

Oxytetracycline (OTC), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, is used widely to treat bacterial diseases in farmed fish. In the present study, the time course of OTC concentrations in freshwater rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and seawater chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), were compared, tissue by tissue, after receiving a bolus dose of the antibiotic (5 mg kg^–1 or 50 mg kg^–1) intra-arterially (i.a.). The OTC concentration–time profiles of rainbow trout tissues were found to be very similar to those of the corresponding tissues in chinook salmon. Therefore, neither water salinity nor fish species seemed to play an important role in the disposition and elimination of OTC in these salmonids. In a separate experiment, rainbow trout were implanted surgically with a urinary cannula and received a single dose of OTC (50 mg kg^–1) i.a. Urine was collected from the cannula daily for 13 days. The amount of OTC excreted into the bile was found to be larger than that eliminated by the urine. These results show the similarity of OTC pharmacokinetics in freshwater rainbow trout and seawater chinook salmon and render support in using a single fish species to study the pharmacokinetics of a drug for other species in the same taxon.     

Effect of hook type and hook setting method on deep-hooking rates when bait fishing for trout in lentic waters

Fishing with circle hooks along with prescribed hook-setting methods can reduce deep-hooking rates in some fisheries, but baited circle hooks have not been evaluated in stillwater trout fisheries. Deep-hooking rates and catch probabilities were compared for cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii​ (Richardson), rainbow trout Oncorhyncus mykiss (Walbaum), cutthroat × rainbow trout hybrids, and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis (MItchill) caught using three types of baited hooks (circle, intermediate circle and traditional J) and two hook-setting methods (active and passive) in several lakes containing naturally reared trout. Hook type had a negligible effect on deep-hooking rates, which averaged 20%. Actively setting the hook and fishing with a bobber both reduced deep-hooking rates, regardless of hook type. Larger fish were deeply hooked more frequently regardless of hook type. Catch probabilities were higher when active rather than passive hook-setting was used, particularly in combination with intermediate circle hooks. The present results, which indicate that circle hook use did not reduce deep hooking in lentic settings, contrast earlier studies done in lotic waters. Therefore, before proposing hook-type regulations intended to reduce deep hooking, fisheries managers should consider waterbody type in addition to fishing methods, fish size and species.     

Stable isotopes and gut content show diet overlap among native and introduced piscivores in a large oligotrophic lake

Abstract – In past dietary studies kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka were prominent in the diet of Pend Oreille Lake's large piscivores: native bull trout Salvelinus confluentus, cutthroat trout O. clarki and northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis, and introduced lake trout S. namaycush and Kamloops rainbow trout O. mykiss gairdneri. However, kokanee have declined to 10–20% of their former abundance. We therefore initiated this study to understand current predation demands on kokanee and diet overlap among piscivores, using gut content samples and analysis of stable nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C) isotopes from the lake's fish and invertebrate community. In gut content samples, kokanee were the main prey item of large [i.e., ≥400 mm total length (TL)] bull and lake trout; a conclusion that was affirmed by stable isotope analysis. Rainbow trout >500 mm TL consumed mostly kokanee, thus there was a high degree of diet overlap among large bull, lake and rainbow trout. Small (i.e., <400 mm TL) rainbow and cutthroat trout diets overlapped, and were composed mostly of littoral benthic invertebrates. However, gut content and stable isotope analysis did not accord for 400–500 mm TL rainbow trout, small lake trout, and large cutthroat trout. In these instances, a linear mixing model using stable isotope results predicted kokanee consumption for each species, but no kokanee were identified in rainbow or lake trout gut content. Gut content and stable isotope analysis of native northern pikeminnow indicated a diet of mostly littoral benthic invertebrates at smaller (100–150 mm TL) lengths, with kokanee becoming more prominent in the diet of individuals >300 mm TL. Percent of kokanee in the diet of northern pikeminnow has declined from a prior study; otherwise piscivore diets have apparently remained unchanged. In this study, judgments as to the feeding of some piscvores, based on gut content alone, would be tenuous because of small sample sizes, but stable isotope analysis provided an efficient means for confirming diets.     

Pathogenicity of Vibrio harveyi to salmonids

Out of 19 Vibrio harveyi isolates obtained from a diversity of hosts and geographical locations, 14 were pathogenic to rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., with mortalities of up to 100% following intraperitoneal injections of 106 cells fish?1. The extracellular products (ECPs) of only five pathogenic isolates were harmful to fish. Both pathogenic and non‐pathogenic cultures produced ECPs containing caseinase, gelatinase, phospholipase, lipase and haemolysins. Vibrio harveyi VIB 645, which was the most pathogenic isolate, produced ECPs with a maximal effect on salmonids from preparations obtained by using cellophane overlays on tryptone soya agar supplemented with 1% (w/v) sodium chloride with incubation at 28 °C for 24 h. This preparation contained the highest titre of haemolytic activity to Atlantic salmon (1:256) and rainbow trout (1:32) erythrocytes.     

A survey on Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae infections in Slovene fresh waters

Slovenia has no history of health problems related to proliferative kidney disease (PKD) either in farmed or in wild fish. However, due to the past molecular evidence for the presence of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae DNA in tissues of some fish from open waters, a survey was conducted on wild salmonids that were primarily sampled for other purposes. In winter 2010–2011, specimens from a total of 244 rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., from 30 bodies of fresh water were examined for T. bryosalmonae using a PCR method. The sampled fish showed no clinical signs or gross pathological lesions characteristic of PKD. Nineteen (7.8%) fish from seven (23.3%) fresh waters were positive for T. bryosalmonae. The identity of PCR amplicons was confirmed by sequencing. With one exception, all the positive fish were found in waters from the regions where the average yearly temperatures and the environmental pollution are higher. This preliminary countrywide survey provided the first insight into the situation regarding T. bryosalmonae infection of wild salmonids in Slovenia.     

Effects of oxygen supersaturation on the culture of cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki Richardson, and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson

Abstract. Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of rearing Snake River cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki Richardson, and Eagle Lake rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Richardson, in oxygen supersaturated water. The performance of cutthroat trout held at oxygen saturation as high as 172% was compared with that of control fish held in water at or below saturation. At an oxygen saturation level of 172%, total gas pressure reached 117% in late afternoon, and nitrogen saturation was reduced to 93%. The rainbow trout were held at a maximum of 150% oxygen saturation; total gas pressure did not exceed 112% in late afternoon and nitrogen saturation was reduced to 99%. Fish growth, fin quality and feed conversions were not significantly affected in either species. At the termination of the study gas bubble disease was observed in 94% of the cutthroat trout held in oxygen supersaturated water. Gas bubble disease was not observed in rainbow trout.     

Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

Alterations in iron, zinc and major plasma proteins of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), with sterile peritonitis induced by oil-adjuvanted multivalent bacterin vaccination

The early humoral responses of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), and brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), with sterile inflammation induced by intraperitoneal Lipogen Triple vaccination were compared to determine if genetic differences in susceptibility to furunculosis in salmonids correlated with different acute phase responses to vaccination. Similar severe acute sterile peritonitis occurred in response to Lipogen Triple in both species. Both species also had a rapid transient reduction in plasma iron concentration at 3 days. Moderate hypoferraemia persisted to day 14 in brook trout, but returned to normal by day 7 in rainbow trout. Plasma zinc decreased sharply 3 days after vaccination in rainbow trout and returned nearly to control levels by day 10; however, plasma zinc did not change in brook trout. Two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide electrophoresis of plasma proteins revealed that increased amounts of a 48-kDa protein group coincided with the hypoferraemic response in rainbow trout. In addition, a modest elevation in a 16-kDa protein group also occurred in rainbow trout. These studies demonstrated the rapid changes in plasma iron in both species and mild elevation of two putative acute phase plasma proteins associated with vaccine-induced inflammation in rainbow trout.     

Effect of Dietary Inclusion of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Mucus Viscosity and Susceptibility of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, to Amoebic Gill Disease

The treatment of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in cultured Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., using mucolytic agents has been previously reported. The agent L‐cysteine ethyl ester reduces salmonid mucus viscosity and potentially increases the flushing of the gill. In the present study, the effects of the mucolytic agent N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) were assessed. Cutaneous mucus from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, and Atlantic salmon was shown to have reduced viscosity when mixed in vitro with 100 or 200 μg/mL NAC. Saltwater‐acclimated rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon were fed an oil‐incorporated, NAC‐medicated diet (8 g NAC/kg diet) for up to 24 d and challenged with inoculation of 300 cells/L Neoparamoeba spp., the etiological agent of AGD. Control fish were fed normal oil‐coated pellets and received no NAC. NAC medication failed to reduce the severity of gill lesions associated with AGD even though the mucus viscosity from medicated fish was less than that of controls. Oral NAC medication does not appear to be an effective method for controlling AGD in salmonids despite reducing cutaneous mucus viscosity.     

Incidence of spinal injuries in migratory Yellowstone cutthroat trout captured at electric and waterfall‐velocity weirs

The South Fork Snake River (Idaho, USA) supports a native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT) population Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri (Richardson) threatened by non‐native rainbow trout O. mykiss (Walbaum). Electric weirs prevent rainbow trout passage into YCT spawning tributaries but may cause spinal injuries. YCT captured at electric weirs on Palisades and Pine Creeks and a control waterfall‐velocity weir on Burns Creek were X‐rayed in 2012 and 2013 to estimate spinal injury rates. Electrical pulse frequency was increased from 2012 to 2013 at the Palisades (from 11.5 to 20 Hz) and Pine weirs (13–20 Hz), and spinal injury rates were found to increase from 11.3 to 21.3% at Palisades and from 6.5 to 14.7% at Pine, while Burns injury rates remained constant (4.5% in 2012 and 6.0% in 2013), suggesting the electric weirs caused spinal injuries in YCT. Lower pulse frequencies may minimise YCT spinal injury but still prevent rainbow trout from accessing YCT spawning tributaries.     

Recovery of Bacillus mycoides,B. pseudomycoides and Aeromonas hydrophila from common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with gill disease

During a 3‐month period from June to the end of August 2016, ~5% mortalities were observed in a farm with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) and one farm of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in Bulgaria. The disease was manifested by gill ulcers/rot, asphyxiation and bloody ascites. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from the internal organs of all the diseased fish. Bacillus mycoides or B. pseudomycoides were recovered from the gill lesions on diseased carp and rainbow trout, respectively, with identification achieved by conventional phenotyping and by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. In vivo experiments confirmed that all three organisms were pathogenic to rainbow trout.     

Food interrelationships between brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in a small put-and-take stillwater fishery

Abstract. The food of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). in a small stillwater put-and-take fishery in Surrey, England was examined by stomach content analysis of fish caught by angling between the months of April and September 1985. Overall, brown and rainbow trout tended to utilize different food sources. Mann-Whitney U-tests showed most major food items to be eaten in significantly different amounts, the most important exceptions being chironomid pupae and adult Diptera. In all months except April, rainbow trout utilized mainly midwater food, particularly Cladocera. Brown trout fed mainly on benthic food organisms and fish. Spearman rank correlations showed diets to be dissimilar during this period, with significant negative correlations in May and August. These results indicate an absence of interspecific competition for food, and imply spatial separation of brown and rainbow trout. In April both brown and rainbow trout fed extensively on the temporary bottom fauna, mainly trichopteran and megalopteran larvae, and diets were significantly positively correlated.     

Radiological examination of the spinal column in farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum): experiments with Flavobacterium psychrophilum and oxytetracycline

Flavobacterium psychrophilum and oxytetracycline have both been associated with spinal deformities in salmonids. Experiments were carried out to investigate whether infection with F. psychrophilum or medication with oxytetracycline (OTC) at the fry stage would result in an increased occurrence of vertebral column deformities in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum). Fish were on‐grown for 9 months and examined by radiology at the end of the experiments. There was a relationship between infection by F. psychrophilum and deformities of the spinal column, if fish with more than 10 affected vertebrae were classified as deformed. The deformities found among infected fish were often visible externally and were more severe than those seen among control fish (most deformities foun among controls were only seen on X‐ray photographs). Deformities were evenly spread along the vertebral column of infected fish. OTC treatments of up to 200 mg of OTC (kg fish)^?1 day^?1 for 10 days and repeated three times did not result in increased spinal deformities relative to untreated control groups; therefore, medication of rainbow trout with oxytetracycline did not cause deformities of the spinal column under our treatment conditions.     

Modelling the effects of capture and sea lice [Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer)] infestation on the cortisol stress response in trout

Measuring baseline cortisol in wild salmonids is problematic because of the stress induced by most capture methods. The cortisol response to different periods of confinement stress was modelled in a laboratory population of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)]. A quadratic model was used to predict baseline (precapture) cortisol levels in these fish. A similar quadratic response pattern of cortisol was observed in wild sea trout (Salmo trutta L.). These were captured in timed sequences on four dates by seine netting in Clew Bay, west coast of Ireland. The estimated precapture cortisol for these fish indicated higher levels soon after migration to sea and a positive correlation with the level of infestation by Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer). Curvilinearity of the quadratic model was correlated with levels of lice infestation, indicating an enhanced cortisol response to confinement stress during capture when parasitic abundance was high. Estimated precapture cortisol for individual sea trout was positively correlated with numbers of lice although the linear regression had low predictive power. The method provides, for the first time, a means to estimate baseline cortisol levels in wild salmonids, and addresses one of the most difficult problems in working with wild fish. Keywords: Cortisol, trout, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer), capture, quadratic model     

Piscine reovirus in wild and farmed salmonids in British Columbia,Canada: 1974–2013

Piscine reovirus (PRV) was common among wild and farmed salmonids in British Columbia, western Canada, from 1987 to 2013. Salmonid tissues tested for PRV by real‐time rRT‐PCR included sections from archived paraffin blocks from 1974 to 2008 (n = 363) and fresh‐frozen hearts from 2013 (n = 916). The earliest PRV‐positive sample was from a wild‐source steelhead trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), from 1977. By histopathology (n = 404), no fish had lesions diagnostic for heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI). In some groups, lymphohistiocytic endocarditis affected a greater proportion of fish with PRV than fish without PRV, but the range of Ct values among affected fish was within the range of Ct values among unaffected fish. Also, fish with the lowest PRV Ct values (18.4–21.7) lacked endocarditis or any other consistent lesion. From 1987 to 1994, the proportion of PRV positives was not significantly different between farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. (44% of 48), and wild‐source salmonids (31% of 45). In 2013, the proportion of PRV positives was not significantly different between wild coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), sampled from British Columbia (5.0% of 60) or the reference region, Alaska, USA (10% of 58).     

Yersinia ruckeri—A threat not only to rainbow trout

Yersinia ruckeri (Y. ruckeri) can cause mortalities that are contributing to substantial economic losses in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture sector. Because of its most characteristic clinical signs, the disease in rainbow trout caused by this pathogen is called enteric redmouth disease. Although it is considered to affect mainly salmonids, there are reports in the available literature of isolating this bacterium from other fish species, both clinically healthy and diseased. The aim of this study was to analyse the available data concerning yersiniosis in non‐salmonid fish. The analysed data indicate that Y. ruckeri is a threat not only to rainbow trout. Some of the affected species have high commercial importance and mortalities may contribute to high economic losses. The disease symptoms may not be specific and can be different from those characteristic for enteric redmouth in trout, which may lead to misdiagnosis. Collected information indicates that infection with Y. ruckeri should be taken into account in the diagnostic procedures not only in salmonids.     

Susceptibility of Chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), and rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri Richardson,to infection with Vibrio anguillarum following sublethal copper exposure*

Abstract. Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), and rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, were used to determine if sublethal copper exposure would increase their susceptibility to Vibrio anguillarum infection. Fish were pretreated with copper at fractional levels of the 96 h copper LC₅₀ before exposure to the pathogen. Mortality by vibriosis was greater among fish exposed to 9% of the copper LC₅₀ for 96 h than unexposed fish. Peak susceptibility to vibriosis depended in part on the interaction of exposure time and copper concentration. The higher copper concentrations produced peak susceptibility to infection in shorter time periods. After the peak of susceptibility, sensitivity to infection declined to near control levels in those fish where exposure was continued. Rainbow trout stressed by copper required about 50% fewer pathogens to induce a fatal infection than non-copper exposed fish.