Use of Underground Brackish Water for Reproduction and Larviculture of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract

Broodfish were reared for 6 months in underground brackish water (11 ppt), and the quality of eggs and semen was evaluated in comparison to broodfish held in fresh water. Fry produced by the broodfish in brackish water (S) and freshwater (F) were then reared in different salinities (1, 4, 7, and 10 ppt). Broodfish successfully matured and spawned in underground brackish water, and gonad quality was better than of the broodfish in fresh water (p < 0.01). Growth indices of fry produced by both groups decreased with increasing salinity (p < 0.01). Survival was not affected by the salinities tested. Underground brackish water can be used as a source to induce successful sexual maturation and to produce high-quality gonads.

Keywords:

• larviculture
• rainbow trout
• reproduction
• underground brackish water

Acknowledgments

This research was financed by the Iranian Fisheries Research Organization. We thank our colleagues at Bafgh Inland Saline Water Fish Research Station (BRS) and at Sahid Motahhari Cold Water Fish Genetic and Eugenics Research Center (SMC), especially Dr. Gorgipour, H. Gandomkar, R. Ansari, and H. Moradian for their help.