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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
USGS1969

Some factors influencing susceptibility of rainbow trout to the acute toxicity of an ethyl mercury phosphate formulation (Timsan)

This study determined the influence of water temperature (55–68° F), dissolved oxygen (4–12 ppm), water hardness as CaCO 3 (20–256 ppm), and chloride ions (to 2 mM) on the susceptibility of rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) to the acute toxicity of ethyl mercury phosphate (EMP). The fish were exposed for one hour to 0.125 ppm EMP, the active ingredient of Timsan, a commercial EMP formulation. The death rate because of the exposure to EMP increased with an increase in water temperature, a decrease in dissolved oxygen, and an increase in chloride ions; calcium appeared to have no effect. The effect of water temperature and dissolved oxygen was ascribed to changes in the respiration rate of the fish, and a chemical explanation is presented for the effect of chloride ions.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1969

A hematopoietic virus disease of rainbow trout and sockeye salmon

A previously undescribed virus disease epizootic of hatchery rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ) in British Columbia, Canada is presented. In the same locality, a similar virus disease was experienced among hatchery sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka ). Typical symptoms included flashing, fecal casts, hemorrhagic areas at the base of fins, and petechial hemorrhages on the visceral fat and membranes in the abdominal cavity. Histopathologic changes were typified by extensive degeneration and necrosis in the hematopoietic tissues of the kidney and spleen. A virus was isolated from both species of fish on tissue culture and the viruses showed cross-infectivity. Based upon the pathological changes in the hematopoietic tissue and the demonstration of a vital infection, a tentative descriptive name was designated Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis. The isolated viruses were distinctly different from the infectious pancreatic necrosis or viral hemorrhagic septicemia viruses of trout, but did show similarities to the Oregon sockeye and Sacramento River chinook viruses. Positive identification awaits further tests. The significance of these observations is the reporting of a new viral disease of rainbow trout and the extension of the geographic range of sockeye salmon viruses.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1970

The effect of temperature on the rate of development and survival of alewife eggs and larvae

Eggs from Lake Michigan alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) were incubated at 79 different temperatures from 42.1 to 87.0 F. Hatching occurred at 44.4-84.9 F and was optimum (38% hatched) at about 64 F. Incubation time varied from 15 days at 45 F to 3.7 days at 70 F and 2.1 days at 84 F. Time from start to finish of hatching ranged from 13 days at about 46 F to 2-3 days at 68-70 F and 1-2 days at 80-84 F. Survival of unfed larvae held at incubation temperatures increased from 3.8 days at 51 F to 7.6 days at 58-59 F and then decreased to 2.4 days at 80-82 F.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1970

Body-scale relation and calculation of growth in fishes

Most calculations of fish growth from scale measurements are made from one of four types of curves: straight line through the origin (Dahl-Lea); straight line with intercept (Lee); logarithmic line (Monastyrsky); empirically derived curve (SegerstråYle). Occasionally, different curves are used for different length intervals of fish. Present understanding of the basic principles of research on the body-scale relation is good but certain problems still await clear solution. Nomographic devices for the calculation of growth appeared early. Many of these unnecessarily had a moving part. The simplest nomograph yet developed and one that can be adapted to any kind of body-scale relation was described by Carlander and Smith. Computers appear to be destined to replace nomographs in most large-scale research on growth.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1970

Temperature tolerance of young-of-the-year cisco, Coregonus artedii

Young-of-the-year ciscoes (Coregonus artedii) acclimated to 2, 5, 10, 20 and 25 C and tested for tolerance to high and low temperatures provide the first detailed description of the thermal tolerance of coregonids in North America. The upper ultimate lethal temperature of the young ciscoes was 26 C (6 C higher than the maximum sustained temperature tolerated by adult ciscoes in nature) and the ultimate lower lethal temperature approached 0 C (near that commonly tolerated in nature by adult ciscoes). The temperature of 26 C is slightly higher than the lowest ultimate upper lethal temperature recorded for North American freshwater fishes; however, published information on the depth distributions of fishes in the Great Lakes suggests that some of the other coregonids may be less tolerant of high temperatures than the cisco.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1970

A hermaphroditic coregonine from Lake Michigan

Hermaphroditism is relatively rare among the Salmonidae (See Atz, 1964 for a comprehensive review) and has never been reported for coregonine fishes. Recent examination of a collection of coregonines at the Great Lakes Fishery Laboratory disclosed a hermaphroditic bloater( Coregonus hoyi ). The fish was captured in a gill net set at 50 fathoms on the bottom of Lake Michigan approximately 7.5 miles NNW of Frankfort, Michigan, on November 2, 1955. The fish had a normal rate of growth and was 234 mm long and in its 5th year of life; it was normal in external appearance but was easily identified as a hermaphrodite by gross examination of its gonads

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1970

Species interactions of the alewife in the Great Lakes

The alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) has caused serious problems in the Great Lakes for almost 100 years. It entered Lake Ontario in abundance via the Erie Canal during the 1860's when major piscivores were declining, and became the dominant species in the lake during the 1870's. The alewife subsequently spread throughout the Great Lakes and became the dominant species in Lakes Huron and Michigan as major piscivores declined. In lakes where it became extremely abundant, the shallow-water planktivores declined in the first decade after alewife establishment, the minor piscivores increased then declined in the second decade, and the deep-water planktivores declined in the third decade. The consequence has been a general reduction in fishery productivity. Rehabilitation will require extreme reduction of the alewife, and restoration of an interacting complex of deep- and shallow-water forage species, and minor and major piscivores, either by reestablishing species affected by the alewife, or by the introduction of new species that can thrive under the new ecological conditions of the lakes.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1971

Selective food preferences of walleyes of the 1959 year class in Lake Erie

Stomachs were examined from 1,473 walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) of the 1959 year class collected in western Lake Erie from June 1959 to October 1960. In the same period, the relative abundance and lengths of potential forage species were determined from trawl catches. The walleye fed almost entirely on fish. In 1959 the food was dominated first (in June and July) by yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and then, in sequence, by spottail shiners (Notropis hudsonius) and emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides). In 1960, the walleyes fed mostly on yearling spottail shiners and emerald shiners in the spring and summer but young alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) became the dominant food in the fall. The length of forage fish increased with the length of walleyes and walleyes of a given length usually ate forage fish within a restricted range of lengths. This size preference was shown by walleyes of the same length in the same and different months. The increased in length of forage fish with length of walleye was not proportionate. Walleyes 2.5 inches long ate forage fish 0.44 times their length whereas walleyes 15.5 inches long ate forage fish only 0.28 times their length. The diet of the walleyes changed according to species and lengths of forage fish available. Since young of several species hatched in different months and grew at different rates, abundance and suitability as forage sometimes changed rapidly.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1971

The influence of pH on the efficacy and residues of quinaldine

Quinaldine, an anesthetic for fish, loses its effectiveness in solutions having pH values less than 6. Measured quantities of un‐ionized quinaldine in solution compared favorably with calculated values at selected pHˈs. Quinaldine residues in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) anesthetized at various pHˈs verify that only the un‐ionized portion in solution enters the fish. Quinaldine residues in fish and un‐ionized quinaldine in solution were measured by gas chromatography.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1971

A basket for washing benthological samples

Since benthological samples collected with dredges are usually too large to be preserved in toto, a washing method must be employed to reduce the sample volume without losing or damaging the organisms. Traditionally, the sample is washed in a sieve until the volume is small enough for convenient handling or preservation. Most washing procedures are time-consuming and laborious. To save time in washing samples, a washing 'basket' was designed which accomadates a Ponar dredge. The only additional equipment needed to employ the washing basket effectively is a pump that delivers about 8 gallons of water per minute.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1971

Effects of temperature on electrolyte balance and osmoregulation of the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in fresh and sea water

A study of the effects of temperature and salinity on ionoregulation in the alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, revealed that concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium in plasma and muscle were similar in fish adapted to fresh water and those adapted to sea water. The non-stressed alewife is apparently an excellent ionoregulator in both environments. Acute exposure to cold caused a shift in plasma concentrations of sodium and calcium toward environmental concentrations, i.e., these ions decreased in fresh water and increased in sea water. An ionoregulatory failure due to cold is suggested. High temperatures had little effect on plasma electrolyte levels in fresh water whereas in sea water the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium were elevated. Mortalities of the alewife in the Great Lakes may be caused by osmoregulatory failure induced by acute exposure to cold, but are probably not induced by exposure to elevated temperatures. Fish thermally acclimated in the laboratory or in Lake Michigan had essentially normal concentrations of blood electrolytes. In muscle, sodium was reduced during exposure to acute cold in both fresh water and sea water. The effect of warm water on ion levels in muscle was, in general opposite that of cold. These data suggest shifts of ions or water between cellular and extracellular fluids of muscle. Such shifts might affect the function of excitable tissue. Muscle tremors and loss of equilibrium observed in dying alewives during summer mortalities might be brought about when sudden temperature drops (e.g., as a result of upwellings which are common occurrences in the Great Lakes) induce disturbances in cellular or extracellular concentrations of ions. In the laboratory, alewife mortalities caused by increasing or decreasing temperatures were about equal in fresh water and sea water. These findings suggest that salinity does not modify the capacity of alewives to tolerate acute temperature stress.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1972

An improved method for isolating viruses from asymptomatic carrier fish

This paper describes a method using elevated levels of penicillin, streptomycin, and nystatin instead of filters to control bacteria and mold contaminants in specimens processed for virus isolation. Filters were shown to significantly reduce the virus concentration. Virus and tissue cultures were not affected by this procedure. In field tests nearly three times more specimens were positive for virus with this method than with the widely used filter technique. Moreover, the cost of materials was less. This method is recommended for inspection and certification purposes.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1972

Age, growth, reproduction, and food of the burbot, Lota lota (Linnaeus), in southwestern Lake Superior

This study was based on 1,285 burbot ( Lota lota ) collected in three areas in southwestern Lake Superior in 1966-69. Age was determined from otoliths, the marginal zones of which were opaque from December to May and translucent from June to November. Average lengths of the age groups and annual increments were measured from a curve fitted by inspection to point estimates of lengths at capture. Burbot grew 5.7 inches during the first year of life and 4.3 inches during the second. Later annual increments through the twelfth year ranged from 1.2 to 2.6 inches. Average total lengths and calculated weights were 16.1 inches and 1.1 pounds at age V and 23.4 inches and 3.2 pounds at age X. First maturity was at age I, at a total length of 9.7 inches for males and 10.7 inches for females; all fish were mature at age V and at lengths greater than 16.4 inches (males) and 15.9 inches (females). Most burbot collected near shore in the Apostle Islands area in late January and February were spent, but none collected in offshore areas during January and March had spawned. The estimated number of eggs in the ovaries of eight burbot 14.7-21.3 inches long ranged from about 268,800 to 1,154,000 and averaged about 812,300. Burbot of all sizes fed on fish and crustaceans. Fish heavily predominated in the food of large burbot taken during the winter (99.6% of the volume) but crustaceans ( Mysis and Pontoporeia ) became increasingly important during the summer and fall (when they contributed more than 73% of the volume). Due to the wide variety and large volume of food consumed, the burbot is probably a significant competitor of many other species.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1972

Fecundity of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in Lake Superior

An infectious agent, which appears to be a virus (RJV) has been isolated from the liver of a wild raccoon which has led to a highly fatal type of disease characterized by conjunctivitis and an elevated serum bilirubin frequently accompanied by jaundice on inoculation of raccoons. Ferrets also appear to be susceptible to infections with this agent.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1973

Application of theory and research in fishery management of the Laurentian Great Lakes

The Great Lakes have a high potential for the conduct of research and useful application of research findings, but the history of the Great Lakes indicates that extensive research and intensive management have failed to prevent deterioration of the fisheries. At times the research was not done before a loss occurred, or did not provide the information needed to solve a problem, or was not interpreted to indicate a need for corrective action. Three examples are used to illustrate these problems: (1) Sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) research was not initiated until 50 years after the destructiveness of the sea lamprey was recognized, and control measures were not developed or applied until species most vulnerable to the lamprey had been greatly reduced or eliminated. (2) Most research on the alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) has been directed toward determining why large numbers of alewives die during the spring and summer, but has not provided the information most urgently needed by management to use alewives to best advantage, or to reduce the biological or human problems that alewives cause. (3) After a study during 1926-30 to determine if pollution was affecting fish in Lake Erie, it was concluded that the detrimental effects of pollution in certain regions were offset by the benefits of enrichment in other areas, but managers were not warned that areas of pollution might expand, and eventually influence the entire lake. The Great Lakes ecosystem is complex and in a state of rapid change. Thus, the outcome from the application of theory is uncertain at best and there can be no assurance that the desired results will be attained. The programs for sea lamprey control and salmonid restoration are a current example of difficulty in application of theory in management. Superficially the sea lamprey appears to be under control and salmonids have been restored. The postcontrol abundance of sea lampreys, however, is equal to the abundance that caused the initial collapse of the lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ), and there is evidence that the damage lampreys are inflicting on lake trout is as heavy as it was in the precontrol period. Also, in the presence of an abundance of hatchery-reared salmonids, the lamprey is reproducing and thriving as well as or better than it did during its initial population explosion, and indications are that it will increase rather than decrease under the present method and level of control. Successful application of theory and research to fishery management has always been impeded by lack of continued and close coordination among some 30-40 state, provincial, and federal governmental units that have varying degrees of influence on fishery programs of the Great Lakes. Frequently agreements that have been reached among conservation agencies were not sustained by legislative units, or were nullified by organizational changes. As a result, conflicting approaches were sometimes taken by management agencies with jurisdiction in different areas of the same lake. Sustained and compatible management objectives and practices can, however, contribute to greater stability, and optimum usefulness and productivity.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1974

Disinfection of contaminated water by ultraviolet irradiation, with emphasis on whirling disease (Myxosoma cerebralis) and its effect on fish

Rainbow trout fry developed whirling disease upon exposure to water contaminated with Myxosoma cerebralis. When similarly contaminated water was irradiated with 2537 Angstrom units of ultraviolet light at dosages of 35,000, 43,000, and 112,000 microwatt sec/cm 2 , infection of fry was prevented. The minimum effective dosage was not determined in the present experiments. High mortality and a 61% growth inhibition of survivors occurred in the infected fry.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗