Domestication effects on fin nipping, survival and growth in hatchery-reared arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), in competition with wild conspecifics

When reared in captivity, first-generation hatchery-reared Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), from Møkkeland lake, northern Norway, differed from wild-caught conspecifics from the same source. Incidence of caudal fin damage (used as an indirect assessment of aggressive interactions) was high amongst the wild-caught charr, and there was considerable mortality amongst these fish. By contrast, hatchery-reared fish displayed little evidence of fin damage, and mortalities were low. When the charr were held in mixed groups of wild-caught and hatchery-reared fish, the hatchery-reared fish showed the most extensive caudal fin damage. Weight losses and decreases in condition were also greatest amongst the hatchery-reared charr that were exposed to competition with wild fish. The hatchery-reared charr held together with the wild fish also suffered high mortality. Thus, aggression may have been selectively directed towards hatchery-reared fish in mixed groups. Taken together, the results suggest that the energetic costs may be high for the recipients of aggression.