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STATION
3: HATCHERY BUILDING (OFF LIMITS)
This
is where the eggs hatching process takes place. Our
fish eggs are obtained from other hatcheries, as
well as our own brood stock. They incubated, hatched,
and transferred to "grow out" tanks and
raceways. In early summer they will be moved to the rearing
ponds.
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Fish
in here are hand fed every hour, or are feed automatically by
a belt feeder. A belt feeder slowly winds a belt with
fish food on top. As the belt winds up, food is slowly dropped
into the water, where it is gobbled up in no time
at all!
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THIS
AREA IS OFF LIMITS TO VISITORS, EXCEPT UNDER STAFF SUPERVISION
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FISH
EGG DEVELOPMENT
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44 deg. water, eggs go through the following stages: |
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Green
Eggs
After
the eggs have been stripped from the fish, they are
fertilized, water hardened (soaked), and counted. They
are placed in a stack incubator, and cannot be disturbed
for about four weeks
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Eyed
Eggs
Once the eyes become visible, the eggs may be
handled or shipped to other hatcheries. At this point
they are past the "tender" stage. |
Sac
Fry
About four weeks after the eyes develop, the
eggs will begin to hatch. They are called sac fry because
of the yolk sac attached to their body. The fish obtain
nutrients from the sac, as it is slowly absorbed during
the next few weeks. |
Fry
About
a month after hatching, the yolk sac is absorbed and the
fish swim up to the surface. At this time, they are fed
a special "stater" diet. The fry are fed frequently
to encourage all fish to feed. |
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