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Selected Methods for Dusky Darter Captive Propagation
Author(s) -
Labay A. A.,
Standage R. W.,
Brandt T. M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
north american journal of aquaculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.432
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1548-8454
pISSN - 1522-2055
DOI - 10.1577/a03-029.1
Subject(s) - spawn (biology) , biology , zooplankton , larva , fishery , zoology , captivity , ecology
Past disturbance of eggs or larvae of dusky darters Percina sciera has resulted in almost 100% mortality of the larvae within 9 d of hatch. Photoperiod and water temperature were manipulated to induce dusky darters collected from the wild to spawn in the laboratory. Eggs spawned in gravel spawning trays were transferred while in the trays to specially designed egg incubators. Dusky darter larvae were collected after they emerged from the gravel and swam out of the incubator. Groups of larvae were offered ground TetraMin (≤0.3 mm), zooplankton (≤0.3 mm), or a combination of both foods in aquariums that had circulated or noncirculated water. The highest mean survival per treatment was for zooplankton and no circulation (71%); the lowest mean survival was for TetraMin with no circulation (3%). A dusky darter growth curve from egg to first spawn, approximately 1 year, was developed. Dusky darters reared in the laboratory from eggs were successfully spawned.