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.
Fish in here are hand fed every hour, or are fed 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!
THIS AREA IS OFF LIMITS TO VISITORS,
EXCEPT UNDER STAFF SUPERVISION
FISH EGG DEVELOPMENT
In 44 deg. water, eggs go through the
following stages:
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
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.
Page 3
Page: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 | | 7 | Next->
