Physiological responses of adult rainbow trout experimentally released through a unique fish conveyance device

North American Journal of Fisheries Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

We assessed the physiological stress responses (i.e., plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, and lactate) of adult Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss at selected time intervals after they had passed a distance of 15 m through a unique fish conveyance device (treatment fish) or not (controls). This device differs from traditional fish pumps in two important ways: (1) it transports objects in air, rather than pumping them from and with water; and (2) it uses a unique tube for transport that has a series of soft, deformable baffles spaced evenly apart and situated perpendicular within a rigid, but flexible outer shell. Mean concentrations of the plasma constituents never differed (P > 0.05) between control and treatment fish at 0, 1, 4, 8, or 24 h after passage, and only minor differences were apparent between the different time intervals within a group. We observed no obvious injuries on any of our fish. Our results indicate that passage through this device did not severely stress or injure fish and it may allow for the rapid and safe movement of fish at hatcheries, sorting or handling facilities, or passage obstacles.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Physiological responses of adult rainbow trout experimentally released through a unique fish conveyance device
Series title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
DOI 10.1080/02755947.2013.833560
Volume 33
Issue 6
Year Published 2013
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description 5 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
First page 1179
Last page 1183
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