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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244807
Title: Phenotypic and genetic variation for growth in two Artic charr Salvelinus alpinus stocks

Author
item Wolters, William
item Burr, Gary

Submitted to: Aquaculture America Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2009
Publication Date: 3/1/2010
Citation: Wolters, W.R., Burr, G.S. 2010. Phenotypic and genetic variation for growth in two Artic charr Salvelinus alpinus stocks. Aquaculture America Conference. p. 197.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: World production of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is about 9-10 million pounds with Iceland supplying about two-thirds. Arctic charr have a flavor many consumers feel is superior to trout and salmon, and interest in US charr aquaculture is increasing with the growing consumer trend towards consumption of quality seafood grown in sustainable production systems. In 2008 full and half-sib families were obtained as eyed eggs from eastern and western US charr stocks. Eyed eggs were disinfected upon arrival and placed in separate incubators. Fry were transferred prior to first feeding into individual 0.1-m3 tanks receiving 8 l/min of recirculating freshwater. Fish from each family were pit tagged (eastern +SE=247+13g, western +SE=220+4g) and stocked communally into three replicated 8-m3 tanks in May 2009 at ~5 kg/m3. Each tank was supplied with 2.0 ppt salinity water from a recirculating biological filtration system. Dissolved oxygen and temperature were monitored continually and ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, carbon dioxide, and pH monitored weekly to insure optimal water quality. Fish were fed a commercial diet (45%P, 18%F) from automatic feeders. Fish were weighed 4 months after stocking. The western stock grew faster (692+8.7g) and were significantly larger (p<.0001) 4 months after stocking than the eastern stock (534+23g). Temperature ranged from 9.8-12.2 deg C. All fish will be harvested when they reach approximately 1.5-2.0 kg total weight at 2 years of age which is expected to occur in December 2009. Individual fish will evaluated for carcass weight, sex, stage of sexual maturity, and fillet yield, fat, and pigment content. Data will analyzed by mixed model analysis of variance to determine the random effects of sire and dam, and the fixed effects of stock, sex, and replicate tank with stocking weight as a covariate. Data will be used to calculate breeding values on a separate group of captive sibling adult broodfish and a line selected for carcass weight will be spawned in the fall of 2010 as three year old broodfish.