Growth effects in Arctic charr reared in cold water: Feed frequency, access to bottom feeding and stocking density

The effects of time restricted feeding, possibility of bottomfeeding and stocking density on the growth of Arctic charr(Salvelinus alpinus L.) were examined in fish held at lowtemperature (<2 °C). Fish fed for a restricted time (1 h) hadsignificantly (p < 0.05) lower specific growth rate (0.15 vs0.32% per day) than those fed the same ration over an extendedtime period (12 h). Increasing stocking densities had a positive andsignificant effect (p < 0.05) on growth with SGR increasing from 0.27to 0.52% per day at 2–30 kg m^-3. Fish withaccess to feed on the tank floor had a significantly higher (p <0.05) growth rate (0.3 vs 0.13% per day) than those without thepossibility to feed from the bottom. When fish were held underconditions without access to the bottom a doubling of the feed rationdid not result in a significant (p > 0.05) increase in growth rate(0.13 vs 0.12%percnt; per day).     

Evaluation of brook trout production in a coldwater recycle aquaculture system

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are a commercially important coldwater species reared in Wisconsin and the Midwestern United States. Brook trout are raised by private, tribal, state, and federal fish hatchery facilities in Wisconsin. Approximately 10% of private coldwater aquaculture operations are presently raising brook trout of various strains for stocking uses and a limited amount for food markets. Growing brook trout to a larger size, if they can be reared in a shorter time span, may present a potential new sector for the aquaculture market in the Midwestern US. The present study reports hatchery production attributes, i.e., growth, survival, fin condition, feed efficiency, water chemistry requirements and general husbandry of Lake Superior strain (Nipigon) brook trout reared in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), operated at an average temperature of 13 °C. The recycle system at NADF reared 1379 kg of brook trout over a 10-month period from fingerling (9 g) to market size (340–454 g). The trout grew faster (0.84 g/day and 0.64 mm/day) in the RAS than fish cultured in traditional flow-through tank culture utilizing ground water at 7.6 °C (0.14 g/day and 0.35 mm/day). Final average weight of RAS fish was 260 g, while the flow-through fish averaged 65 g. Final tank densities for the RAS averaged 40.4 kg/m³ while flow-through tanks averaged 31.2 kg/m³. Throughout the project, feed conversions in the RAS ranged from 0.9 to 1.3. Water quality variables such as TAN, nitrite, DO, temperature, TSS, CO₂, ph, etc. were within safe limits for brook trout and will be discussed. It does appear from this initial research project that market size brook trout can be raised successfully in a recycle system within a similar time frame as a rainbow trout produced in a Wisconsin typical flow-through facility.     

Patterns of growth and nutrient deposition in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and their hybrid, F1 splake (Salvelinus namaycush × Salvelinus fontinalis) as a function of water temperature

Several fish species of the genus Salvelinus are used for stocking freshwaters in North and South America and much of Europe but there is little information about their growth and carcass composition. Lake trout (S. namaycush), brook trout (S. fontinalis) and their hybrid F₁ splake (S. namaycush × S. fontinalis) (initial body weight ca. 2–4 g) were raised at 6.4, 10.6 and 14.9 °C to examine growth and nutrient deposition as a function of water temperature. In all species, weight gain and feed intake increased significantly with water temperature and feed efficiency was significantly lower at 6.4 than at 10.6 and 14.9 °C. In brook trout, Thermal‐unit Growth Coefficient (TGC) growth rate was significantly lower at 6.4 than at 10.6 and 14.9 °C, while in F₁ splake TGC was only lower at 6.4 than 10.6 °C. Expressed in terms of relative composition a significant effect of temperature was observed. In all species, moisture content decreased while crude protein, lipid, ash and energy contents increased with increased temperature. Expressed in absolute terms, however, a significant effect of temperature was not observed. In all species carcass contents increased significantly with increased live body weight and were best described by simple linear equations. Gross energy concentration was significantly affected by both water temperature and body weight. These data indicate that the growth of these species is a function of water temperature and, in absolute terms, carcass composition is mainly a function of body weight and not water temperature. Also, such simple linear equations bode well for modification of existing feed requirement and waste outputs models; improving their applicability to these species.     

Trophic polymorphism among Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus L., from Loch Ericht, Scotland

Abstract— This article examines the morphology and ecology of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus in Loch Ericht, Scotland, Gill netting revealed that two forms of charr existed within the loch, a pale form and a colored form. Multivariate analysis of nine size-corrected morphometric measurements of the head region revealed that pale and colored charr differed significantly in the size and shape of the head characteristics and that both groups were easily discriminated on the basis of these characteristics. Stomach contents showed that the colored form fed predominantly on zooplankton and the pale form mainly consumed benthic macro-invertebrates, with larger pale individuals consuming other fish. On the basis of diet and morphology, the terms planktivorous and piscivorous were adopted for the two forms respectively. Length at age also distinguished the two groups, with piscivorous charr being smaller than colored charr up to age 8+ then surpassing the maximum length attained by planktivorous charr at ages of 9+ and above. The results are discussed in relation to other instances of sympatric morphs of Arctic charr.     

Are native brook charr and introduced rainbow trout differentially adapted to upstream and downstream reaches?

Abstract— Due to species introductions, brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) occur together in many North American streams and typically exhibit a pattern of distribution in which brook charr numerically dominate headwaters and rainbow trout dominate downstream reaches. It has been suggested that 1) the two species compete or 2) the two species do not compete because they are differentially adapted to environmental conditions found in upstream and downstream zones. We assessed whether there were differences in growth and macrohabitat (pool, run and riffle) selection of brook charr and rainbow trout in upper, middle and lower stream zones of a small Pennsylvania stream. Brook charr and rainbow trout placed in replicate paired enclosures set in upstream and downstream reaches showed no significant differences in growth and survival rates upstream, but brook charr had significantly greater growth rates than rainbow trout downstream. Enclosed fish and free-ranging fish both had negative growth rates during the summer. Enclosed fish lost significantly less weight than free-ranging fish. Instantaneous growth rates of free-ranging adult brook charr and rainbow trout from May to August were negative for both species in all stream zones. Underwater observations of adult brook charr and rainbow trout showed both species occurred significantly more often in pool macrohabitats than expected on the basis of macrohabitat availability, except for rainbow trout in the upstream zone. The proportion of pool macrohabitat was not significantly different among stream zones. Brook charr do not appear to be better adapted to upstream environments in Powdermill Run based on growth, survival and macrohabitat selection during summer. Negative biotic interactions acting along with differential environmental adaptations may explain the pattern of distribution of brook charr and rainbow trout in streams, but long-term transplant experiments with additional life stages will be necessary to examine this hypothesis.     

Evaluating genetic structure among resident and migratory forms of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Northeast Oregon

Abstract –  Many salmonids express multiple behavioural forms within the same population, representing an evolutionary adaptation to a heterogeneous environment. For bull trout, resident and migratory forms co-occur in streams, but it is unknown whether the two forms assortatively mate. We assessed genetic differentiation between resident and migratory bull trout (using eight microsatellite loci) in the South Fork Walla Walla River. We PIT-tagged and fin-clipped bull trout and assigned individuals to behavioural subpopulations based on movement patterns. The pair-wise F _ST value between resident and migratory subpopulations (0.0037) was statistically insignificant, and individual-based analyses of structure using both multivariate and Bayesian approaches showed a lack of genetic structure within the population. These results have important implications for assessing population status and management; while the population may be managed as a single reproductive unit, the phenotypic variation within this population may have fitness consequences and thus merits conservation.     

Modelling the life-history variation of Arctic charr

Abstract –  A model based on proximate considerations of life histories of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar , was examined for its applicability to fit the variation in life-history of wild Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus , based on a qualitative assessment of information related to growth and lipid dynamics of Arctic charr. The original salmon model is discussed in context of modifications required to account for added complexities in the life history of Arctic charr in relation to anadromy versus residency. A study from North Norway shows that individual charr that emigrate from the lakes to the sea, maintain a high growth rate in the lake in late summer and early autumn compared with resident fish. Their relatively low lipid level in autumn combined with a high rate of change of lipid during winter was associated with postponement of maturation in the anadromous individuals. Individuals that remain resident in the lake arrested growth in autumn. Their high lipid level in autumn combined with a low rate of change of lipid during winter was associated with maturation the following summer, without emigration from freshwater. Results from this and other related studies show similarities with the model derived from lipid and growth dynamics of Atlantic salmon. The adjusted charr model illustrates possible proximate explanations for the high variation in life-history strategies of Arctic charr. However, the model does not account for the characteristic return migration of immature charr into freshwater several weeks after their entry to the sea. The proximate physiological stimulus for this movement of immature fish is not entirely clear.     

Diel microhabitat use of age-0 bull trout in Indian Creek, Washington

Abstract – We studied diel microhabitat use at the focal point of age‐0 bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, in Indian Creek, Washington during mid‐summer and fall of 1997. Microhabitat variables included water depth and velocity, distance from the stream bottom, habitat and refuge use, substrate type, and substrate embeddedness. Age‐0 fish were located over fines and gravel substrates in shallow, low‐velocity water near stream margins, but were located in shallower water at night. Bull trout were highly associated with loose substrate, and used the substrate interstices for refuge cover. Diurnal bull trout counts decreased and no age‐0 fish were observed after 15 September at water temperatures below 6.1 °C. Nocturnal counts remained relatively constant throughout the study. Our results suggest that age‐0 bull trout surveys be conducted at night when summer water temperatures begin to decline.     

Feed intake and growth of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), fed diets supplemented with oxytetracycline and squid extract

This study examined the long-term effects of a potential feeding deterrent, oxytetracycline (OTC), and a putative feeding stimulant, squid extract, on feed intake, growth and dry matter (DM) digestibility in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.). Fish were fed one of four diets for 9 weeks: 1. commercial feed formulation (basic); 2. BM (basic plus 20 g kg⁻¹ OTC); 3. BMS (BM plus 10 g kg⁻¹ squid extract); 4. BS (basic plus 10 g kg⁻¹ squid extract). The feed intake of Arctic charr was not reduced by the addition of OTC to the basic feed, and addition of squid extract to the medicated feed did not enhance feed consumption. DM digestibility and growth tended to be reduced in groups of fish fed diets supplemented with the antibiotic (BM and BMS). This suggests that OTC may have interfered with nutrient digestion and absorption. OTC does not seem to be a feeding deterrent for Arctic charr, possibly indicating that the charr is a rather unselective feeder. Because the medicated feeds were readily accepted, there may be little to be gained by addition of feeding stimulants to these types of feeds for charr.     

Importance of fatty acids in broodstock diets with emphasis on Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) eggs

The importance of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially the eicosanoid precursors, is addressed in this paper. It has been generally recognized that eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) are of significant importance in fish reproduction while arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) has often been overlooked. The ratio between C20 fatty acids EPA and AA might be important for many physiological functions depending on the species evolution and its requirements. Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) has a much more pronounced freshwater history and therefore different fatty acid requirements than the other commonly farmed salmonids such as salmon (Salmo salar), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Therefore there is reason to formulate a feed that is more suitable for farming of this freshwater species. In this study, freshwater wild-origin char eggs were compared to farmed eggs of char. The ratio n-3/n-6 of total phospholipids of eggs was much lower in the wild fish, 3.5 versus 13.5, and the hatching rate of eggs from natural environment was much higher (20–70% vs. >80%). We conclude that feed based on marine raw product does not fulfill the requirements for essential fatty acids for freshwater char and we suggest that AA is supplemented to the broodstock diet and that at least linoleic acid (18:2n-6) is included in the on-growth diet formulas to lower the n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio.