Embryonic Development, Early Growth, and Meristic Variation in Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Exposed to Combinations of Light Intensity and Temperature

Abstract

Lowest mortality rates of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) embryos were obtained at temperatures of 7 and 10 C and light intensities of 0.2 and 20 lx. Temperatures of 3 and 15 C and an intensity of 400 lx were near the thresholds for development. Eggs exposed to 0.2 lx required 111 days to reach 50% hatch at 3 C, but 26 days at 15 C; those exposed to 20 lx, 97 days at 3 C and 25 days at 15 C.Growth rates of rainbow trout 145 days after hatch were significantly different (P < 0.05) at 10 and 3 C, and 20, 2, and 0.2 lx. The fastest growth occurred at 10 C and 2 lx, and the lowest growth at 3 C and 0.2 lx. For increment of body weight it was about 23.8%/day of initial weight and 6.6% at 3 C. At light intensities of 20, 2, and 0.2 lx, the rate per day was 24.7, 17.2, and 11.2%, respectively. However, increases in length occurred at a much reduced rate.Variations in numbers of vertebrae, gill rakers, and fin rays were positively correlated with the embryonic development rate. Longer incubation periods were usually associated with more meristic elements, regardless of the environmental factors involved.