Growth and salinity tolerance in hybrids within Salmo sp. and Salvelinus sp.

Attempts were made to complete all possible interspecific hybrid crosses between Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), and Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Survival was appreciable only in (giving female first) lake × brook, salmon × char, brook × char and char × brook hybrids. Growth rates over a weight increment of 3–30 g averaged 2.14% wet weight/day for all species and hybrids (14.5–17.0°C — excess rations). The highest growth rate, 2.74%, was obtained with the brook (female) × char (male) hybrid and the lowest, 1.63%, in lake trout. Salmon (female) × char (male) hybrids grew faster than salmon; brook trout (female) × char (male) hybrids grew faster than brook trout. Salmo species grew no faster than Salvelinus species but became silvery and had greater salinity tolerance at a smaller size and earlier age. Intergeneric hybrids between female Salmo spp. and male Salvelinus spp. more closely resembled the female parent in processes related to smoltification (silvering and salinity tolerance).     

Susceptibility by amberjack (Seriola dumerili), yellowtail (S. quinqueradiata) and Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) to Neobenedenia girellae (Monogenea) infection and their acquired protection

This study investigated: 1) susceptibility differences to infection by Neobenedenia girellae (Capsalidae) between amberjack Seriola dumerili (Carangidae), yellowtail S. quinqueradiata and Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (Paralichthyidae); 2) growth and egg production of N. girellae on each fish species; 3) acquired protection of each fish species against this parasite. The number of N. girellae on S. dumerili was significantly higher than on S. quinqueradiata and P. olivaceus when these fishes were exposed to oncomiracidia in the same aquarium. Neobenedenia girellae growth on S. dumerili was fastest and, thus the number of eggs laid by parasites on S. dumerili was greater than on the other two species. Seriola dumerili and P. olivaceus, which were previously infected with N. girellae and treated by freshwater bath, acquired partial protection against re-infection by N. girellae. The relative re-infection of three S. dumerili individuals out of eleven individuals was markedly low compared with the initial infection, and the relative initial infection and re-infection on two P. olivaceus out of eleven individuals was markedly low. The results of this study could be useful to control N. girellae infections when cultivating S. dumerili, S. quinqueradiata and P. olivaceus.     

Post-stocking behaviour of hatchery-reared European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L.), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in a semi-natural stream

Hatchery-reared, juvenile European grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L.), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were each stocked six times into an area of a semi-natural stream. The order in which the two species were released was switched after every second experimental stocking. Temporal and spatial post-stocking dispersal, effects of previously stocked species, feeding behaviour and the influences of sex and size were studied. During each 48-h experimental release period, some fish were recaptured in a trap situated 200 m downstream from the stocking site, and fish remaining in the stream after each experimental release were caught by electric fishing. Significantly more grayling than trout moved downstream and left the semi-natural stream. Proportions of stocked grayling recaptured in the trap within 2 h and from 2 to 48 h post stocking in the stream were 36.4% and 10.0%, respectively. Corresponding recapture rates for brown trout were both 1.5%. Most of the grayling and brown trout that did not leave the stream early were recaptured in deep, slow-moving water at low velocities in the release area. The presence of grayling at the time that the brown trout were stocked resulted in significantly fewer brown trout staying in the upper part of the stream. Within 48 h of their release, 33.3% and 22.8% of the grayling and brown trout, respectively, had eaten natural food items. The mean length of brown trout recaptured in the upper part of the stocking area was significantly lower than that of fish recaptured in the lower part and in the trap. Among brown trout, males showed a significantly greater propensity to eat and to stay in the upper part of the stream near the stocking site compared with females . Brown trout with natural food items in their stomachs had significantly lower mean length than trout without such items. No sex- or size-related differences were found in the spatial distribution or feeding activity of grayling.     

Disentangling individual movement between populations from effective dispersal in the facultative anadromous Salmo trutta L.

Gathering information on both individual movement and gene flow is rarely possible when studying dispersal among populations in fish species. It is, however, possible to assess both at a reasonable cost in Salmo trutta L. on the Atlantic coast of Europe where the facultative anadromous species is composed of discrete populations of brown trout residents occupying distinct river systems, but exchanging phenotypically distinguishable sea trout migrants. We performed two kinds of genetic analyses using individual microsatellite genotypes: the stock identification of sea trout entering each corridor and the estimates of effective dispersal through each corridor. We observed that individual movement (nonlocal individuals of each source population ranging from 4% to 35% of the sea trout run) never translates into effective dispersal except in one of four migratory corridors examined. The likely origin of this uniquely detected gene flow event is discussed in the light of well‐documented migratory fish management actions undertaken in the past in the studied area.     

Competitive exclusion of brown trout Salmo trutta L., by rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, in lake tributaries, New Zealand

Spawning runs of brown trout Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, were compared in three tributaries of two lakes for timing, numbers and redd characteristics. Redd characteristics for the two species in four other streams were examined. No significant differences in redd characteristics between the two species were observed, but in all lake tributaries the possibilities of superimposition of spring spawning rainbow trout on redds of brown trout were examined. A common feature was the high ratio of numbers of spawners to the area of preferred spawning gravel, and it was concluded that in the lake tributaries, superimposition resulted in increased mortality of brown trout eggs, and in one case elimination of the brown trout population. Management possibilities for control of the species proportions in comparable situations are discussed.     

A genetic analysis of egg,alevin and fry mortality in salmon (Salmo salar), sea trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Heritability of mortality in eggs, alevins and fry were estimated using data from salmon, sea trout and rainbow trout. The highest value (average for all species and both estimation methods) based on the sire component was obtained for the eyed egg stage, h² = 0.08, followed by the alevin stage, h² = 0.05, while estimates for fry mortality did not differ significantly from zero.The maternal effect was rather large for uneyed eggs and eyed eggs, while it was low for alevin mortality. Maternal effects were also found to have a significant influence on the mortality of salmon fry. It was, however, not possible to separate maternal effects from tank effects.     

Reduction of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., salmon, S. salar L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), smolt bycatches in eel pound nets

Two types of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) were tested in the Randers Fjord, Denmark, aimed at deflecting the surface-oriented smolts of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., salmon, Salmo salar L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), before they became trapped, while retaining the catches of eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.). The methods tested were: a) placing a floating guard net between the wings; and b) submerging the pot net (i.e. last enclosure before fyke net) 55–100 cm below mean sea level. After each haul the pound net-setups were changed from the control to one of the types of BRD, and vice versa. Both methods significantly reduced the bycatch of brown trout smolts, while catches of legal-sized eels were not affected. Submerging the pot net reduced smolt catches of all species; mean reductions were 91.1% for brown trout, 74.5% for rainbow trout, and 86.1% for salmon.     

Brown trout, Salmo trutta L.: a new species for intensive marine aquaculture

Abstract. Strains of two salmonid species, brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were compared for the purpose of marine aquaculture. Survival rate, growth and sexual maturation rate were investigated. Brown trout performances were good and allowed for intensive production.     

Habitat utilization of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)) in two lakes in northern Norway

Abstract— Habitat utilization of juvenile Atlantic salmon, brown trout and Arctic charr was investigated in two lakes in northern Norway during the icefree season. Both the vertical distribution and the distribution among different habitat types were studied by gillnetting with small mesh sized gillnets (8-15 mm) in different habitats. Salmon and trout were predominantly caught in the littoral and sublittoral zones (0-6 m depth). Access to shelter seemed to be the most important factor determining the horizontal distribution of small salmon and trout. Most of these fish were caught in stony or vegetated habitats, while few salmon and trout were caught on sandy locations or in the pelagic zone. In one of the lakes, there were significantly higher catch rates of salmon than of trout in the stony littoral (0-3 m), while in the other lake there were no significant differences in spatial distribution between these two species. Charr were primarily found in the profundal, sublittoral or pelagic zones of the lakes.     

Low feed pellet water stability and fluctuating water salinity cause separation and accumulation of dietary oil in the stomach of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Regurgitation (belching) of oil is a problem in sea farmed rainbow trout kept in water with fluctuating salinity. This often coincides with abdominal distension syndrome, which is associated with osmoregulatory stress and lipid indigestion. The present study investigated combined effects of water stability in extruded feeds and fluctuating water salinity on feed consumption, growth, nutrient digestibility, gastrointestinal transit, and accumulation of water and oil in the stomach of rainbow trout. Diets were produced with high or low water stability, which were characterised by a novel water stability test. In an initial 84 days growth experiment, each diet was fed to six groups of 772 g trout, of which three tanks were supplied with full-strength seawater, and three tanks were fluctuated between seawater and freshwater (7 h per day during 3 successive days per week). No significant effects were seen, although the feed intake appeared slightly lowered by low dietary water stability at fluctuating salinity. In a second experiment, each diet was fed to four groups of 1 kg trout, of which two tanks were supplied with full-strength seawater, and two tanks were fluctuated between seawater and brackish water (17‰ 7 h per day daily). Low water stability of the diet resulted in accumulation of oil in the stomach, and this response was worsened when the salinity of the rearing water fluctuated. It also corresponded with reduced lipid digestibility. Consequently, low water stability of the diet caused an oil separation in the stomach that may result in oil-belching in rainbow trout suffering from osmoregulatory stress.     

Density of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr after point and scatter stocking of fry

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., fry were point and scatter stocked in the early part of June at densities of 63–263 fry 100 m⁻² per species in the River Viantienjoki, a small river in northern Finland, and their population densities were assessed in late summer. Both species were always stocked together in similar quantities. Point stocking was used in the first 2 years and scatter stocking in the following 2 years. In point stocking, there was no correlation between the distance from the stocking sites (maximum = 250 m) and parr density in census sites ( r = −0.013 and 0.019 for brown trout and Atlantic salmon, respectively). The stocking density of fry did not influence parr density in August by either method or by species. Stocking density explained only from 11% to 23% of the parr survival depending on the species or stocking method. The mean densities of Atlantic salmon and brown trout parr did not differ significantly from each other at any fishing site ( P > 0.05). Both point and scatter stocking appear to be suitable methods for use in small rivers. The parr densities depend more on the other factors (e.g. habitat quality) than the stocking method, and the choice between methods could be based on the time and labour available.     

The influence of diet and fish density on apparent heat increment in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

Rainbow trout were held in densities of 15, 35 or 50 fish per tank (2.48–8.27 kg m^?3) and fed one of six balanced diets varying in protein (34%, 48%, 58%) and lipid levels (7%, 23%). The elevation in oxygen consumption following feeding was attributed to apparent heat increment. Apparent heat increment tended to increase with dietary protein for each of the two lipid levels within each density of fish. A significant change in apparent heat increment relative to digestible energy was not demonstrable with dietary protein for each lipid level and fish density. When dietary lipid was high, the fraction of energy lost through apparent heat increment was improved and tended to decrease with dietary protein. Thus, a decrease in dietary protein with a concomitant increase in lipid provides for a more efficient utilization of dietary protein for growth. Apparent heat increment varied directly with rainbow trout density on the basis of equivalent weights and diets.     

The commercial exploitation of sea trout, Salmo trutta L.

Abstract. The net and coble catch of sea trout in the River North Esk was sampled between 1977 and 1979. A comparison of the length frequency distribution of these samples with those of sea trout taken in a trap which was assumed to be unselective revealed that the net and coble fishery was very selective. Only isolated fish below 35·0 cm were encountered in the commercial catch samples, yet between 25% and 41% of the upstream migratory sea trout taken in the trap during the netting season were below this length. The sea trout in the commercial catch samples were predominantly maiden, one-sea-winter fish. The dominant age class each year was the 2·1 + group, 3·1 + fish comprising the other major age class. The freshwater age of the maiden sea trout sampled declined as the season progressed. The proportion of previously spawned fish in the samples ranged between years from 12% to 15%. The mean length and mean weight of sea trout sampled from each year's catch showed little variation, ranging from 42·9 cm to 43·3 cm and 971 g to 972 g, respectively. The ratio of males to females in the 1979 sample was 1·00:2·18. The use of morphometric characteristics, including head length, pectoral fin length and adipose fin length was investigated with the aim of distinguishing the sex of fish taken early in the season from external features alone. Although in each month the mean head length as a percentage of fork length of males was greater than that of females, this difference was not sufficient to enable the rapid determination of sex during commercial catch sampling routines. The exploitation rate of sea trout reaching the most upstream major fishing station, Morphie Dyke, was estimated from the recapture of upstream adult sea trout removed from a trap and released in the main river 2 km downstream of Morphie Dyke. The percentage exploitation rate at this fishing station was found to range between 6·4% and 12·2%, and the percentage exploitation rate for the entire net and coble fishery was at a level of approximately 30% during the period of the study. The sea trout statistics of the North Esk net and coble fishery for the period 1925–1979 were examined, and the effect of a change in fishing effort on these figures is described. Recent catch figures, although below those reported during the mid-1960s, are above the level of catches reported prior to 1952.     

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.     

Experimental studies on planting artificial stream channels with unfed and six weeks fed salmon (Salmo salar L.) and trout (S. trutta L.) fry/parr

Abstract– Experimental comparisons were made between release as unfed fry and release as six weeks fed parr, upon the growth and final population density of young salmon and trout over a ten week period. Salmon and trout released into experimental channels as unfed fry at densities of about 19 fish. m^-2 showed rapid reduction in numbers, chiefly by downstream dispersal, accompanied by negligible growth. After substantial reduction in numbers, there was a reduced rate of dispersal and rapid growth. Salmon and trout retained in a hatchery at high density (80 to 200 fish. m^-2) and fed for six weeks on proprietary food showed slow, but measurable, growth. After release into the channels these fish adjusted their numbers, mainly by downstream dispersal, and showed an increased growth rate. At the end of a ten week period, salmon introduced as fed parr had approximately twice the population density of salmon introduced as unfed fry. No similar difference in population density could be shown for trout. For both species, the fish introduced as fed parr had a lower mean weight after ten weeks than had the fish introduced as unfed fry.     

Resource partitioning between lake-dwelling Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr, brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.))

Abstract – Resource partitioning between Atlantic salmon parr, brown trout and Arctic charr was studied throughout the ice-free season in a north Norwegian lake. Juvenile salmon and trout (≤160 mm) utilized the littoral zone and juvenile charr the profundal, while adult trout and charr (>160 mm) were found in both. Juvenile salmon and trout had a similar diet, although trichopteran larvae were more important for the trout and chironomid pupae and three-spined sticklebacks for the salmon parr. Small salmon and trout parr (≤120 mm) had a higher diet overlap than larger parr (121–160 mm). The feeding habits of adult trout were similar to that of juvenile trout, but the former took larger prey items. At the population level, both salmon and trout were generalistic feeders with a broad diet, but at the individual level, both species had specialized on a single or a few prey categories. Juvenile charr were segregated from salmon and trout in both habitat and food utilization; they had a narrow diet consisting of chironomids and zooplankton, possibly reflecting their confinement to the profundal habitat which have a low diversity of potential prey. Larger charr also took zoobenthos and sticklebacks in the littoral zone. ^Note     

植物油替代鱼油对虹鳟、花鲈和大黄鱼组织结构的影响

以初始体重分别为(11.24±0.07 g)、(18.60±0.36 g)和(8.93±0.21 g)的虹鳟、鲈鱼和大黄鱼幼鱼为研究对象,用植物油(亚麻籽油:豆油=1:1)分别替代0%(FO,对照组)、50%(FV)和100%(VO)的鱼油来配制三种等氮(粗蛋白含量为41%)等脂(粗脂肪含量为12%)的实验饲料。通过投喂实验探讨不同植物油替代鱼油水平对虹鳟(淡水鱼)、鲈鱼(广盐性鱼类)和大黄鱼(海水鱼)肝脏和肠道组织结构的影响差异。70 d投喂实验后发现,随着替代水平增加虹鳟、鲈鱼和大黄鱼的肝细胞中脂肪滴累积程度逐渐增高,相同替代水平下肝细胞中脂肪滴累积程度为大黄鱼>鲈鱼>虹鳟;肠道组织中杯状细胞随植物油替代水平升高而增多,而在大黄鱼全植物油组出现脂肪滴累积和上皮细胞死亡现象。以上结果表明植物油替代鱼油对虹鳟组织结构影响最小对大黄鱼影响最大。     

Proliferative kidney disease in brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., parr: histopathological and epidemiological observations

Abstract Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) has been described in cultivated rainbow trout but major outbreaks have not been recognized in other fish species. This paper describes light and electron microscope studies and presents epidemiological data of a disease condition in first summer Salmo salar parr and S. trutta , which is associated with an organism apparently identical to the aetiological agent of PKD. The pathology was found to be similar to that described for PKD in rainbow trout. The epidemiology in the brown trout suggests that exposure after May does not result in infection. The data from the outbreaks in two salmon hatcheries appear complex and suggest different susceptibilities to PKD among salmon originating from different sources.     

Evaluation of AQUI-STM (efficacy and minimum toxic concentration) as a fish anaesthetic/sedative for public aquaculture in the United States

A preliminary evaluation of efficacy and minimum toxic concentration of AQUI-S^TM, a fish anaesthetic/sedative, was determined in two size classes of six species of fish important to US public aquaculture (bluegill, channel catfish, lake trout, rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch). In addition, efficacy and minimum toxic concentration were determined in juvenile–young adult (fish aged 1 year or older) rainbow trout acclimated to water at 7°C, 12°C and 17°C. Testing concentrations were based on determinations made with range-finding studies for both efficacy and minimum toxic concentration. Most of the tested juvenile–young adult fish species were induced in 3 min or less at a nominal AQUI-S^TM concentration of 20 mg L^–1. In juvenile–young adult fish, the minimum toxic concentration was at least 2.5 times the selected efficacious concentration. Three out of five species of fry–fingerlings (1.25–12.5 cm in length and < 1 year old) were induced in ≤ 4.1 min at a nominal concentration of 20 mg L^–1 AQUI-S^TM, with the other two species requiring nominal concentrations of 25 and 35 mg L^–1 for similar times of induction. Recovery times were ≤ 7.3 min for all species in the two size classes. In fry–fingerlings, the minimum toxic concentration was at least 1.4 times the selected efficacious concentration. There appeared to be little relationship between size of fish and concentrations or times to induction, recovery times and minimum toxic concentration. The times required for induction and for recovery were increased in rainbow trout as the acclimation temperature was reduced.     

Nocardiosis in tank-reared Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.

Nocardiosis is an infection caused by aerobic Gram-positive, branching, filamentous rods of the genus Nocardia . The organism is resident in both soil and plants ( Austin & Austin 1993 ; Frerichs 1993 ), and is closely related to Mycobacterium spp. Nocardiosis caused by Nocardia asteroides and N. seriolae (previously N. kampachi ) has been reported in several finfish species, both freshwater and marine. The first reported incidence was recorded by Valdez & Conroy (1963) in neon tetras, Hyphessobrycon innesi (Myers), and subsequently in other fish species, some of commercial significance including rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) ( Snieszko, Bullock, Dunbar & Pettijohn 1964 ), brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), ( Campbell & MacKelvie 1968 ) and yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata (Temminck & Schlegel; Kubota, Kariya, Nakamura & Kira 1968 ). Despite two of these incidences occurring in salmonids, infection by Nocardia spp. in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., has not previously been reported.