Post-spawning mortalities in brown trout Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. An 'oedema syndrome' caused mortality of 55·5% in brood brown trout approximately 2 months after spawning. The pathology and clinical biochemistry of the condition are described. It is suggested that the severe hypoproteinaemia and anaemia were due mainly to the traditional reduction in feed levels prior to spawning at a time when the water temperatures were abnormally high. It is also suggested, however, that the syndrome would not have occurred if the fish had not developed an aeromonad infection prior to stripping. Concurrent fungal infection and subsequent extremely low water temperatures are also thought to have played a role.     

Sea-ranching of brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract  In total, 8211 1-year-old and 14839 2-year-old hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L., from 11 stocks were released at the mouth of the River Imsa, southwestern Norway. The recapture rates and total estimated yield were higher for 2- than 1-year-old trout, although recapture rates varied between years of release and stocks. The recapture rate increased with mean individual weight at time of release. Total estimated yield from the individual groups of 1+ trout ranged from 2 to 20 kg per 1000 trout released and for 2+ trout between 11 and 250 kg per 1000 fish released. In all cases, yields were lower than the economic break-even yield. Most fish were recaptured the year of release (89.2% of 2+ and 76.2% of 1+ trout). Almost 31% of the recaptures were caught at sea and 69% in fresh water; 95.8% of the latter were taken in the River Imsa trap.     

Cardiac disorders in farmed adult brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

During summer in Brittany, France, sea farmed brown trout, Salmo trutta L., regularly experience a high mortality rate which is associated, at least in part, with cardiac disorders (aneurysms and infarcts). The present study is preliminary to a more extensive research programme, the objective of which is to determine to what extent the physiological performance of the cardiovascular system of brown trout is affected by the environmental conditions the fish experience in farm cages. We conducted a 2-week in situ experiment during which the heart rate of eight sea water acclimatized individuals was telemetered using acoustic tags. During the experimental period, water temperature ranged from 16.0 to 17.6 °C. Water oxygen saturation was above 80% at all times and salinity was very high (35.5‰) but stable. Although they were unfed and not active, seven of out the eight tagged animals displayed near maximum heart beat frequencies, which ranged between 83 and 98 beats per minute (bpm). On the other hand, the eighth animal exhibited medium-range heart rates (50–70 bpm). Using phase delay maps, we established that the maximum heart rate of brown trout at 17 °C was in the range of 96–100 bpm. This result suggests that in our experimental conditions, the heart rate of most of our inactive fish was between 85 and 100% of maximum myocardial performance. We hypothesize that the cardiac failures observed in brown trout during summer are most likely a result of strenuous workloads imposed on the cardiovascular system by a combination of elevated temperature, high salinity and possibly season-related decreased hypo-osmoregulatory abilities.     

Androgen levels and erythrocytosis in maturing brown trout,Salmo trutta L.

The number of circulating erythrocytes was monitored in two strains of brown trout during the spawning season. Erythrocyte numbers were significantly elevated in mature male fish of both strains compared with mature females or immature fish. This period of erythrocytosis coincided with elevated plasma 11-ketotestosterone levels in mature male fish, was out of phase with the testosterone peak in males and was not observed in females despite high levels of plasma testosterone. The results are discussed with reference to the control of erythropoiesis in higher vertebrates.     

Saltwater performance of triploid Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. brown trout Salmo trutta L. hybrids

Survival and growth in a saltwater net-pen of sexually immature triploid Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. brown trout Salmo trutta L. hybrids was comparable to that of immature diploid Atlantic salmon. Following 17 months of freshwater rearing, the experimental fish were individually tagged and transferred to a saltwater net-pen where they were raised communally for 376 days. Initial and final average weights were 158 and 760 g per fish for the diploid Atlantic salmon and 209 and 1010 g per fish for the triploid hybrids; weights for the hybrids were significantly larger in both cases (α= 0.05). Survival from transfer to harvest was 43% for the Atlantic salmon and 48% for the hybrids. Average specific growth rate of fish which survived to harvest was 0.42% day^-1 for Atlantic salmon and 0.41% day^-1 for hybrids; these values were not significantly different. No significant differences were observed in average condition factor and dress-out percentage between crosses. Average gonadal weights and gonadosomatic indices were not significantly different for male diploid Atlantic salmon, female triploid hybrids and male triploid hybrids, but were significantly greater for female Atlantic salmon.     

Changes in serum parameters of Saprolegnia-infected brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. Fungal infection of both wild and hatchery-reared sexually mature brown trout, Salmo trutta L., was caused by Saprolegnia diclina Humphrey Type 1. The major ions in the serum of infected fish were all significantly reduced in concentration and it is suggested that the primary cause of death was osmoregulatory breakdown resulting in a lethal haemodilution. Severe hypoproteinaemia and a significant reduction in the albumin/globulin ratio were reflected in the electro-phoretogram of the serum proteins from infected fish.     

Genetic effects of introduced hatchery stocks on indigenous brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations in Spain

Abstract– To assess the levels of gene introgression from cultured to wild brown trout populations, four officially stocked locations and four nonstocked locations were sampled for one to three consecutive years and compared to the hatchery strain used for stocking. Allozyme analysis for 25 loci included those previously described as providing allelic markers distinguishing hatchery stocks and native populations. Different levels of hybridization and introgression with hatchery índividuals were detected in stocked drainages as well as in protected locations. These findings indicate that new policies for stocking and monitoring hatchery fish are needed if gene pools of wild Spanish brown trout populations are to be preserved.     

Feeding by hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta L. released in lakes

Abstract. Shortly after their release in two Norwegian lakes (3 hours to 3 weeks), hatchery-reared brown trout, Salamo trutta L., yearlings were recaptured, and their feeding was compared with that of wild brown trout. Investigations were conducted during three different periods (June, August and September). In all three periods most of the hatchery-reared fish started feeding immediately after their release. The amounts of exuviae from Ephemeroptera larvae and Chironomidae pupae found in the stomachs of hatchery-reared trout decreased with time, indicating that their feeding habits were influenced by a learning process. However, within one week of their release, hatchery trout appeared to be feeding on wild prey as well as did wild fish.     

Stocking of brown trout, Salmo trutta L.: effects of acclimatization

One-year-old hatchery brown trout, Salmo trutta L., ( n  = 16 520) from a sea-run, local brood stock were marked and released (scatter-planted) into the River Laisälven in northern Sweden. Eight different groups were created using Alcian blue and Visible Implant Elastomer tags. Half the fish were kept in small enclosures in four stocking areas for 6 days before release. The other half were released just after transportation. To evaluate the effect of acclimatization on post-stocking performance, the areas were electric fished 2 months later. During the electric fishing survey, a higher number of the acclimatized hatchery fish were recaptured than those released immediately. The growth rate of stocked fish differed significantly between stocking areas and fish held in enclosures grew more than those released directly. The rate of recapture of hatchery fish varied between stocking areas (6.4–17.4%). Movements of juveniles within and between the stocking areas were low, and only 3.6% of the recaptured fish were found in an area not originally stocked. These results showed that acclimatization of fish before release increases the number and size at recapture within a stocking area.     

Lake survival of hatchery and pre-stocked pond brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. A comparison was made of lake survival, after 2 years, of hatchery and pre-stocked pond brown trout, Salmo trutta L., (age 0+) in two small mountain lakes in south-central Norway, one which contained a resident population of brown trout. There was a significantly higher recapture of pond fish in both lakes. The mortality rate for the stocked fish was significantly higher in the lake which contained a resident population of brown trout. The competitiveness of the stocked fish is discussed in relation to foraging success, predation and stress.     

Estimation of sperm concentration of wild and reconditioned brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Sperm concentrations were assessed for milt samples taken from three stocks of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., (wild resident trout, and reconditioned and seareared sea trout) using direct counts, spermatocrit and an optical density of 1:1000 dilutions. There were significant linear relationships between spermatocrit and absorbance, and both spermatocrit and absorbance with sperm concentration. The results gave sperm concentrations from 2.2 × 10⁹ mL^?1 to 26 × 10⁹ mL^?1. Mean concentrations differed significantly between stocks; the reconditioned males had a mean concentration of 9.1 × 10⁹ mL^?1, sea-reared males 18.0 × 10⁹ mL^?1 and 8.0 × 10⁹ mL^?1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and wild resident males 13.3 × 10⁹ mL^?1. Sperm concentrations from all three stocks of trout were negatively correlated with length, and therefore, age. It was indicated that sufficient milt was being produced to achieve good rates of fertilization, although some of the larger trout did have low sperm counts, suggesting that fertilizing ability may decrease with male size or age within any one stock.     

Reproductive performance of cultured brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in Chile

Data on reproductive traits in a cultured population of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in southern Chile were collected over three consecutive reproductive seasons: 1999, 2000 and 2001, corresponding to the first (at 3 years), second and third spawnings in females. Data were collected from individual females (n=238, 273 and 169 respectively). The reproductive season lasted mainly from June to August. The peak (July) tended to increase with each season (55.46%, 62.27% and 80.81% of total spawning fish respectively). Female body weight (470.8±102.5, 735.0±150 and 1263.9±263.4 g), total fecundity (1182±344, 1904±595 and 2744±605) and egg diameter (4.64±0.11, 4.67±0.27 and 5.24±0.12 mm) increased significantly (P<0.01) over successive reproductive seasons, particularly between the second and third spawnings. Relative fecundity, on the other hand, decreased significantly with each season (3577±471, 2591±900 and 2181±360). Following analysis of the variables over the three seasons, the correlation pattern of female body weight with total fecundity (r=0.91, n=458; P<0.001) and relative fecundity (r=?034, n=451; P<0.001) proved similar to that described in other salmonid females. Fertilization rate and survival to the eyed egg stage were also positively correlated (r=0.73, n=453; P<0.001). The systematically high values obtained for these latter variables over the seasons evaluated (consistently above 90%) are clearly greater than those we registered in other species of salmonids bred in Chile under similar conditions and suggest highly efficient biological variables that determine the gamete fertilization of this species. The brown trout is, therefore, an interesting potential aquaculture resource in Chile.     

Trophic ecology of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in subarctic lakes

In subarctic lake systems, fish species like brown trout are often important predators, and their niche performance is a key characteristic for understanding trophic interactions and food web functioning at upper trophic levels. Here, we studied summer habitat use and stomach contents of brown trout under both allopatric and sympatric conditions in six subarctic lakes to reveal its trophic role, and population‐ and individual‐level niche plasticity. In allopatry, brown trout mainly used the littoral habitat, but also less commonly used the pelagic zone. In sympatry with stickleback, there was always a considerable habitat overlap between the two species. In contrast, sympatric populations of brown trout and Arctic charr generally revealed a distinct habitat segregation. In the sympatric systems, in general, there was a distinct resource partitioning between the trout and charr, whereas the observed diet overlap between trout and stickleback was much larger. Trout modified their individual dietary specialisation between the littoral and pelagic zone, always being lower in the pelagic. Piscivorous behaviour of trout was only found in sympatric systems, possibly contributing to a competitive advantage of trout over charr and stickleback. Hence, the trophic level of trout was strongly related to the fish community composition, with a higher trophic level in sympatric systems where piscivorous behaviour was frequent. These changes in the trophic level of trout linked with the observed food resource partitioning might be an important mechanism in the ecosystem functioning of subarctic lakes to allow coexistence among sympatric‐living fish species.     

Distribution of genetic variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in Scotland

Abstract. A total of 1680 brown trout, Salmo trutta L., from 63 different localities in Scotland were sampled and examined for 34 loci. Thirteen loci were polymorphic in one or more populations. The mean observed heterozygosity for wild populations ranged from 0.0 to 8-9% (x=4.5%) in the same range as previous studies on this species. Within drainage studies and gene diversity analysis confirms that a large proportion (33%) of total gene diversity was distributed between populations. The Ldh-5(100) allele was common in Scottish populations and its distribution would fit the hypothesis that this allele was indicative of an ancestral trout population in Scotland before the invasion of trout characterized by the Ldh-5(90) allele. The results have important implications for the management of the brown trout genetic resource.     

Determinants of parr size variations within a population of brown trout Salmo trutta L.

Abstract – The size of 2-month old trout Salmo trutta parr differed between sites and between years along the River Esva catchment (Asturias, northwestern Spain). Such variation was in a direction opposite to the variation observed in parental size. Parr were smaller in sites where parents grew faster, whereas larger parr occurred in sites where parents grew less. Parr size of six cohorts (1990–1996, except 1995) at 14 sites along the River Esva was inversely related to the growth rate and length of parents and positively related to canopy, egg size, and water temperature. The latter acted similarly on all parr independently of egg size and the site where the egg originated. Covariation patterns among parr size, parental traits, and canopy suggest that a canopy-regulated, growth-determined trade-off between egg size and number, previously described for the Esva trout, also extends to alevin size. In forested, shaded sites, adult trout grew less and spawned fewer larger eggs that resulted in larger alevins, whereas in fully insolated, production-rich sites, trout grew faster and spawned higher numbers of smaller eggs that produced smaller parr. I hypothesize that the phenotypic plasticity illustrated by the environmentally induced trade-off between egg size and number further extended to alevin size may be evolutionarily advantageous because it relates the size of trout alevins to food availability, as predicted by the growth previously experienced by parents. ^NOTE     

Electrophoretic evaluation of a supplemental stocking programme for brown trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. Over a 15-year period hatchery brown trout, Salmo trutta L., have been added 10 Lower Lough Erne, Northern Ireland to supplement declining native populations. Introductions have mainly comprised eyed ova and fingerlings, stocked into a number of rivers in the Erne drainage. Utilizing a natural genetic tag an electrophoretic assessment of the stocking programme was undertaken. The percentage hatchery genetic contribution in trout populations varied widely from river to river (19%-91%). Lough-caught brown trout (3+ and older) showed a substantial (21·5%) hatchery genetic component. Introgression of native-and hatchery stocks was evident. The resultant deleterious genetic consequences for the conservation of the unique Lough Erne brown trout gene pool arc discussed and alternative management strategies are proposed.