Effects of Temperature on Egg Production and Early Life Stages of Fountain Darters
Date
1996-05
Authors
Bonner, Timothy H.
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Abstract
Studies were conducted to determine the effects of water temperature on egg and larvae production, larvae survival, and juvenile growth of the endangered fountain darter Etheostoma fonticola. Adult fish were exposed to water temperatures of 14, 17, 20, 23(control), 25, 27, and 29°C for 33 d. Egg production was significantly higher for fish held at 14, 17, 20, 23, and 25°C than fish held at 27 and 29°C. Percent hatch was significantly higher at temperatures of 14, 17, 20, and 23°C than at temperatures of 25, 27, and 29°C. Larval production was significantly higher at temperatures of 17, 20, and 23°C than temperatures of 14, 25, 27, and 29°C. Lethal temperatures for 50% mortalities of 24-to 72-h old larvae were estimated at 3.8 and 3 l.9°C over a 24-h period. Low survival and inconsistent growth data prevented an assessment of temperature effects on juvenile growth.
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Keywords
fishes, eggs, larvae, etheostoma, spawning, temperature
Citation
Bonner, T.H. (1996). Effects of temperature on egg production and early life stages of fountain darters (Unpublished thesis). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.