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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Leetown, West Virginia » Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320405
Research Project: Integrated Research Approaches for Improving Production Efficiency in Salmonids

Location: Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture Research

Title: Effects of incubation temperatures on embryonic and larval survival in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Author
item Weber, Gregory - Greg
item MARTIN, KYLE - Troutlodge, Inc
item Kretzer, Joshua - Josh
item Ma, Hao
item DIXON II, DOUGLAS - Troutlodge, Inc

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2016
Publication Date: 7/21/2016
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/62978
Citation: Weber, G.M., Martin, K., Kretzer, J.D., Ma, H., Dixon II, D. 2016. Effects of incubation temperatures on embryonic and larval survival in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Journal of Applied Aquaculture. 28:285-297. doi:10.1080/10454438.2016.1212447.

Interpretive Summary: Incubation temperature is commonly used by hatcheries to manipulate hatch date in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to insure fry are available when needed. Target dates for hatching often change during the incubation period and require a sudden adjustment in temperature to slow or accelerate the rate of development. Although there are many studies characterizing the effects of different static temperature regimes on embryonic mortality, there is little information available on the effects of sudden changes in temperature during incubation. We compared the effects of a variety of temperature treatments on survival at eye pigmentation and at first feeding. We found that incubation at 5oC within the first day of fertilization reduced survival at eyeing compared to incubation at 10 degrees C or 14 degrees C. We did not observe a difference in survival at eyeing or first feeding if embryos were rapidly switched between 5 degrees C and 10 degrees C at 100 degree days (temperature in degree C X days at that temperature) compared with being acclimated to the change in temperature over a 4-hour period. Switching embryos from 10 degrees C to 2 degrees C at 100 degree days reduced survival at eyeing and first feeding. The findings provide guidance to hatchery managers as to the best practices to adjust temperature to manipulate hatch dates to optimize fry availability.

Technical Abstract: Incubation temperature is commonly used by hatcheries to manipulate hatch date in salmonids including rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Target dates for hatching often change during the incubation period and require a sudden adjustment in temperature. Although there are many studies characterizing the effects of different static temperature regimes on embryonic mortality, there is little information available on the effects of sudden changes in temperature during incubation. We compared the effects of a variety of temperature treatments on survival at ~250 degree days, considered eyeing, and at first feeding. Degree days were calculated as the sum of mean daily water temperature in degrees Celsius. Incubation at 5oC within the first day of fertilization reduced survival at eyeing compared to incubation at 10oC or 14oC. We did not observe a difference in survival at eyeing or first feeding if embryos were rapidly switched between 5oC and 10oC at 100 degree days compared with being acclimated to the change in temperature over a 4-hour period. Switching embryos from 10oC to 2oC at 100 degree days reduced survival at eyeing and first feeding by about 14% and 18% respectively, although there were differences among studies.