The effects of ration size on migration by hatchery‐raised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Abstract – The possibility to increase the proportion of migrating hatchery‐reared smolts by reducing their food ration was studied. Lake‐migrating, hatchery‐reared salmon (Salmo salar) and trout (Salmo trutta) smolts were either fed normal rations, based on recommendations from the fish‐farming industry, or reduced (15–20%) rations. They were released into the River Klarälven, western Sweden, and followed as they swam downstream to Lake Vänern, a distance of around 25 km. For both Atlantic salmon and brown trout, smolts fed a reduced ration migrated faster than fish fed a normal ration. Furthermore, a higher proportion of salmon smolts fed reduced rations migrated to the lake than fish fed normal rations in 2007 but not in 2006. This difference between years corresponded to greater treatment differences in size and smolt status in 2007 than in 2006. For trout, the proportion of migrating individuals and smolt development did not differ with ration size. Trout migrants fed a normal ration had a higher standard metabolic rate (SMR) than nonmigrants, whereas there was no difference in SMR between migrating and nonmigrating salmon. These results show that it is possible to use a reduced food ration to increase the migration speed of both Atlantic salmon and brown trout and to increase the proportion of migrating Atlantic salmon.     

β-葡聚糖对亚东鲑幼鱼存活及生长的影响

在水温13~14 ℃下,将平均体质量(1.07±0.3) g的亚东鲑幼鱼养在100 cm×100 cm×60 cm圆形玻璃缸循环水系统中,密度为159尾/m^( 3) ,水深约40 cm,投喂添加0%、0.1%、0.2%、0.5%、 1.0% 、1.5%和2.0%β-葡聚糖的饲料饲养60 d,研究β-葡聚糖对亚东鲑幼鱼存活及生长的影响。试验结果显示,不同含量β-葡聚糖对亚东鲑幼鱼存活率差异不显著,均为100%;平均质量增长率0.5%试验组最大,显著高于其他各组( P <0.05),平均体长增长率0.5%试验组最大,与0.2%、0.5%、1.5%试验组之间差异不显著,显著高于其他各组( P <0.05),0%试验组平均体长增长率最小;特定生长率0.5%试验组最高,显著高于其他各组( P <0.05),0%试验组最低;肝体指数依次递减,0%试验组最大,与 0.1% 、 0.2% 和0.5%试验组之间差异不显著,但显著高于其他各组( P <0.05);肥满度0.1%、0.2%、 0.5% 、 1.0% 试验组之间差异不显著,显著高于其他各组( P <0.05),0%试验组最小;摄食率0.1%试验组最高,随着β-葡聚糖添加量增加依次递减,但各试验组之间差异不显著;食物转化率0.5%试验组最高,与1.0%、 1.5% 、2.0%之间差异不显著,显著高于其他各组( P <0.05),0%试验组最低。肠道脂肪酶、胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均随β-葡聚糖含量增加呈先增后减变化趋势,说明β-葡聚糖能够提升肠道消化酶活性。综上所述,饲料中添加0.5%β-葡聚糖对亚东鲑存活与生长效果较好。     

Evaluation of sodium percarbonate as a bath treatment for amoebic gill disease in Atlantic salmon

Amoebic gill disease (AGD), caused by Neoparamoeba perurans, is a major health challenge for Atlantic salmon aquaculture globally. While freshwater bathing for 2 hr is effective in reducing infection severity, there is need for more rapid and lower cost alternatives. To this end, a combination of sodium percarbonate (SPC) in freshwater was examined for its treatment efficacy. Initial in vitro studies showed a reduction in amoeba viability when exposed for 30 min to freshwater containing >500 mg/L SPC. Subsequently, AGD‐affected salmon were bathed for 30 min in 16°C freshwater containing 100, 500 or 1,000 mg/L SPC, or for 2 hr in 16°C freshwater to mimic industry practice. Treatment at the highest SPC concentration caused extensive gill damage and substantial mortality. Neither occurred to a significant extent at lower SPC concentrations. Gill pathology of surviving fish 10 days post‐treatment (dpt) was comparable to or more severe than pre‐treatment, and significantly (p < .001) more severe than in 2 hr freshwater bathed fish. N. perurans DNA was confirmed by qPCR in all treatment groups at 10 dpt. The data indicate that a 30‐min exposure to SPC in freshwater is not a suitable alternative to existing freshwater treatment of AGD.     

Long-term separate and combined effects of environmental hypercapnia and hyperoxia in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr (mean start weight 50 g) were reared in freshwater (FW) and exposed to three levels of oxygen saturation measured in effluent water; control group (93% O₂, LO₂), medium (111% O₂, MO₂) and high (123% O₂, HO₂). Further three groups were exposed to similar water oxygen levels in combination with elevated carbon dioxide levels (17–18 mg L^– 1 CO₂), named LO₂–CO₂, MO₂–CO₂ and HO₂–CO₂, respectively. The experiment was run in duplicate tanks for 42 days, and the fish were subsequently transferred to the same seawater (SW) regime for 45 days for an assessment of post-smolt growth. As a consequence of the CO₂ addition, tank pH levels in the FW period were reduced from 6.7 to 5.9 for the hypercapnia groups compared to for the normcapnia groups. Water temperature in FW ranged between 6.4 and 9.0 °C. Citrate was added to the water to complex labile aluminium.In the CO₂ groups observed ventilation frequencies were significantly increased compared to the control (p < 0.05). This difference declined towards the end of the FW period, suggesting acclimation to elevated CO₂. The degree of oxygenation appeared to contribute to the acclimation as the lowest mean ventilation frequency on day 36 was found in the HO₂–CO₂ group and the highest in the LO₂–CO₂ group. Lower plasma chloride and sodium levels were observed in the CO₂ groups relative to the respective oxygenation groups during the FW period, while plasma chloride and sodium levels were normalised to equal levels for all groups after 44 days in SW. No significant differences were found among treatments for blood concentrations of red blood cells, haemoglobin, potassium and glucose during the experiment.By termination of the FW period, the HO₂ group had significantly higher body weight than all other groups (p < 0.05), with specific growth rate significantly higher than the CO₂ groups (p < 0.05). Further, the condition factor was significantly lower in all the CO₂ groups at the end of the FW period compared to the control and normcapnia groups (p < 0.05). Although variable among replicates, occurrence of nephrocalcinosis was 10 times higher in the hypercapnia groups than in the control and normcapnia groups. Mortality was negligible (< 2.0%) during the trial, and most of the mortality occurred following SW transfer.     

Early survival of marble trout Salmo marmoratus: evidence for density dependence?

Abstract –  The role of endogenous and exogenous factors in regulating population dynamics of freshwater salmonids is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present work was to assess the relative importance of density-dependent and -independent factors in determining the survival of marble trout ( Salmo marmoratus ) yearlings in two populations living in Slovenian streams (Zakojska and Gorska). The investigation was performed by combining a classical life table analysis with Monte Carlo simulation. Size-dependent fecundity was estimated by stripping wild adults in the fish farm. A significant positive relationship was found between length of marble trout females and the number of eggs produced. Egg density was the major determinant of survival from eggs to age 1+ ( σ ₀) in both streams. Residuals of the relationship between σ ₀ and egg density were positively correlated with rainfall only in Zakojska, probably because, within a certain range, more intense rainfalls increases stream flow and, consequently, suitable habitat for trout. Our study shows how density-dependent and environmental factors can interact to determine the survival of marble trout during the first year of life.     

Absorption from water as an alternative method for the administration of sulphonamides to rainbow trout, salmo gairdneri. The significance of the pKa value of the sulphonamides and the pH and salt content of the water.

The effect of variations in pH and salt concentration on the absorption by rainbow trout of sulphonamides from water was investigated. Two trials were carried out: 1) Absorption from fresh water of sulphanilamide (pKa 10.4) and sulphadimidine (pKa 7.4) at pH 4, 6, 8 and 10 over a period of 96 hrs., and 2) Absorption from fresh water and sea water (salinity approx. 31 ‰) of the same two sulphonamides at pH 6 and 8 over a period of 24 hrs. The degree of acetylation of the two sulphonamides in rainbow trout was investigated.     

Application of low frequency genetic marking at GPI-3* and MDH-B1,2* loci to assess supplementary stocking of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in a Northern Irish stream

Abstract At the River Bush salmon station in Northern Ireland, a genetically marked strain of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was established, with a low frequency (0.194) of a glucose-6-phosphate isomerase genotype (GPI-3* 100/93). As part of a salmon enhancement programme, 43500 of these fish were stocked as swim-up fry into a tributary of the nearby Margy River in Spring 1990, following a baseline genetic survey which indicated an absence of the GPI–3*93 allele in the wild population. This survey also indicated a significant frequency difference of a malate dehydrogenase allele (MDH-B1,2*85) present both in the stocked and wild fish. A post-stocking electrofishing survey in summer 1990 indicated higher summerling densities in stocked sections compared with unstocked (control) sections, with an estimated survival of stocked fry to summerling ranging from 24% to 29%. Genetic analysis based on GPI-3*100/93 and MDH-B1,2*100/85 genotypes provided similar estimates of the overall contribution of stocked fish at 59.8% to 61.9%, respectively, although there was a disparity between markers in estimated contributions to stocked and control sections. A further genetic survey in 1991 estimated that 32.2% (MDH) to 69.1% (GPI) of the 1 + parr population consisted of stocked fish, the MDH-based estimate having declined greatly between summerling and 1 + parr stages. Possible reasons for the disparity of marker results are outlined, and the implications for use of low-frequency genetic marking discussed.     

Migratory behaviour of brown trout, Salmo trutta L: importance of genetic and environmental influences

Lake Storvindeln in northern Sweden supports a population of fast-growing lake-run brown trout. Spawning and early rearing take place in the River Vindelälven, while most growth occurs in the lake (piscivory). A smaller tributary to the lake, Låktabäcken Creek, holds a resident, early maturing, short-lived brown trout population, although no migratory barriers have existed since 1947. To establish a lake-run trout population, fry from the migratory R. Vindelälven stock were introduced into the creek during 1985–1991. Introduced trout descended to the lake prior to maturing. As a result of the introduction, large adult trout returned from L. Storvindeln to the creek to spawn in 1991 and 1992; i. e., the introduced trout were able to complete a migratory life cycle. Genetic factors appeared to have a primary influence on the predisposition to migrate in this case, and it is suggested that migratory populations rarely develop from strictly resident ones.     

Straying of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, from delayed and coastal releases in the Baltic Sea, with special focus on the Swedish west coast

Abstract  Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., reared from two Baltic strains were released around the islands Bornholm and Møn in the Baltic Sea between 1995 and 1999. A total 600 000 reared salmon were released from net pens using the delayed release technique, keeping the salmon in net pens for approximately 3 months after smolting, and 208 000 were released directly from the hatchery. Of these, 15 958 were tagged with Carlin tags. Additionally, 65 300 coded wire tagged salmon were released as delayed release salmon close to Bornholm in 2000. Recaptures from the five years of Carlin tagged releases varied between 2.8% and 21.2% (average 13.1%). Most recaptures were from within the Baltic Sea (average 98%), but some were recaptured outside the Baltic Sea, either in the sea (1%) or in fresh water (1%). Recaptures outside the Baltic Sea and in fresh water were higher for releases at Møn in the western part of the Baltic, than releases at Bornholm. Straying rates from the releases into six rivers on the Swedish west coast were estimated using information from capture in traps and sport and broodstock fisheries. The proportion of straying salmon in rivers on the Swedish west coast was about 3.8% of the salmon run, but with large variations between rivers. Releases were discontinued because of possible deleterious effect on the local wild salmon populations.     

Occurrence of gyrodactylids on wild Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., in Danish rivers

Three hundred and one parr of wild salmon, Salmo salar L., from three river systems in Denmark were examined in December 2005 and August 2006 for gyrodactylid infections. The species determination was done by morphological analyses of the opisthaptoral hard parts and molecular analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing. Five species of the genus Gyrodactylus were found: Gyrodactylus derjavini, Gyrodactylus teuchis, Gyrodactylus truttae, Gyrodactylus arcuatus and Gyrodactylus salaris. The parasite species G. derjavini dominated over G. teuchis and G. truttae and only one specimen of G. arcuatus and one specimen of G. salaris were recovered. This specimen of G. salaris had the same mutation in the ITS-region as a previously described non-pathogenic Danish G. salaris variant. The prevalence of gyrodactylids on the salmon ranged from 0% to 100% but the mean abundance never exceeded 12.8.