Factors Affecting Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Predation on Migrant Fry of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Abstract

Predation of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) on migrant sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) fry in experimental streams was higher on fry at an earlier development stage, in moonlight by contrast to cloudy night light intensities, at lesser turbidities, and at lower stream velocities. At dusk light intensities, from.05 to.30 ft-c, mortality from predation was inversely related to light intensity. The longer the period of exposure of fry to naturally declining light intensities prior to downstream movement, the lower was the loss to predators. Exposure of predators to high light intensities prior to the downstream movement of fry resulted in decreased fry mortality. Fry that had survived exposure to predators in an experimental stream 1 and 2 days previous were less vulnerable to predation than "naive" fry. Successive exposures further decreased the loss to predation. Fry enumerated at a counting fence suffered less predation than fry not enumerated. Experienced fry moved downstream more rapidly than naive fry.In laboratory aquaria, experienced fry formed compact schools prior to and in response to stimuli, while naive fry formed loose schools or did not school. Experienced fry were less active in responding to stimuli. Enumerated fry resembled experienced fry; nonenumerated fry resembled naive fry.Various techniques of enhancing sockeye salmon fry survival during downstream migration are suggested by these results.