North Carolina Trout in the Classroom Aquarium Resource Guide Updated April 2012, November 2014, Pisgah Chapter TU NC Chapters North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Acknowledgments North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Aquarium Resource Guide is provided to teachers by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and through a partnership between Trout Unlimited, North Carolina Trout Unlimited Chapters, and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The Aquarium Resource Guide is a compilation of classroom incubator techniques and ideas shared among schools throughout the United States. Portions of the following publications were adapted or directly referenced throughout this resource guide.  New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife And NJ Chapters of Trout Unlimited, 2005 ---New Jersey Activity Guide and Reference for Teachers (Activity guide modified from New York State Trout in the Classroom)  Smith, Less; Nevada Department of Wildlife, fourth edition January 2006 --- Nevada Department of Wildlife Trout In the Classroom Curriculum Resource Guide  Virginia Trout Unlimited, 2008 --- Trout In the Classroom, “How to Raise Virginia trout”  Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists and hatchery managers and members of Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited also provided key information for this resource guide. The guide is subject to change as the North Carolina Trout In The Classroom program continues to grow. North Carolina Trout in the Classroom gratitude goes to the Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom teachers and volunteers who are implementing TIC across the state and who continue to share their knowledge and expertise. Page 2 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Table of contents Chapter 1: The Life Cycle of Trout Eyed eggs 5 Alevins to fingerlings 6 Adult brook trout 7 Life cycle stages & duration 7 Life cycle fact sheets 8 Chapter 2: Trout habitat needs 10 Chapter 3: MAKING THE CONNECTION” 12 Chapter 4: AQUARIUM Equipment used 18 Aquarium diagram 19 Step-by-step aquarium set-up 20 End of year clean-up 24 Chapter 5: Trout Care Egg preparation & placement 26 Basic daily care 27 Stressed trout 28 Trout Care 29 Feeding guidelines 30 Vacation/holiday feedings 31 Release day 32 Chapter 6: How to maintain a healthy coldwater ecosystem in-class: Nitrogen Cycle (aquarium cycling) 34 Overview of water parameters 38 Nitrites and nitrates 39 Chlorine & Chloramines 41 Temperature & pH 43 Dissolved oxygen 44 Ammonia 45 Water changes 46 Chapter 7: Record Keeping 48 Chapter 8: Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) 54 Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Equipment 58 Water 61 Trout 64 Chapter 10: Appendices Equipment Check List 73 Page 3 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Chapter 1: The Life Cycle of Trout Descriptions of Each Trout Stage (back to table of contents) Page 4 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom A. Eyed Eggs Definition: Once eggs have been fertilized they are called “green eggs”, one of the most vulnerable life stages. As they develop, eyes become visible. They are still fragile at this stage, but are a bit more stable than green eggs. Note: This is the egg stage you will receive for your classroom. Description: Between late September – early November, female brook trout select a location for their nest, called a “redd”. Streams with areas of clean gravel and steady water flow are ideal. Using her tail, she cleans a small area of gravel, while at the same time creating a spot for the eggs. In their natural setting, a mature female brook trout (spawning brook trout range between 5 – 10 inches in length with a 12 inch brook trout being a trophy) lays anywhere from 20 - 400 eggs depending on size, health and water quality. Once a “redd” has been prepared, a male brook trout will fertilize the eggs as the female lays them in the redd. Once fertilized, the female covers the eggs with a thin layer of gravel using her tail and body. This layer of gravel protects the eggs from predators and sunlight. As eggs develop they get oxygen from steady water flow and nutrition from the egg yolk. Temperatures must stay between 35 to 52-degree Fahrenheit. Typically, if everything is just right, brook trout eggs will hatch in early Spring (late February to mid March). Hatch dates depend heavily on the stream temperatures. In nature 1-2% (10 to 20) of the 500-1000 eggs will survive to spawning age depending on the health of the watershed, food availability and stamina of the trout. (back to table of contents) Page 5 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom B. Alevins (pronounced Al-a-vin) (also known as “sac fry”) Definition: A newly hatched trout, still attached to and utilizing the yolk sac as food. This sac contains protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The yolk sac serves as a “mini-lunch bag” that feeds the trout until it is completely absorbed. Once the yolk sac is absorbed, called the “button up” stage, trout emerge from the gravel and begin searching for food as a “swim- up fry”. Alevins begin breathing through their gills when they hatch from the egg. The rate of respiration can be observed by watching the number of gill movements. As cold-blooded animals, their metabolic rate depends on the surrounding environment temperature. Temperature controls the rate of respiration. As a result, they breathe and grow slower in cold temperatures. Trout grow rapidly in warmer temperatures; however, their overall body growth is reduced because of inefficient digestion and respiration processes. Description: When eggs hatch, the alevins stay nestled at bottom of the stream. They will remain there until their yolk sac is fully absorbed. Their yolk sac shrinks as they begin to develop teeth, digestive system and a respiration system. It takes about a week or two for the yolk sac to be completely absorbed. At this stage alevin are extremely fragile and susceptible to predators, siltation, pollution, floods or any disturbance in the water. C. Fry Definition: Swim-up Fry: Trout who have fully consumed their yolk sacs. Once the yolk sac is consumed, trout will emerge from the gravel and begin to search for food. I----1 inch or less ---- I Fry/Parr: A hatched trout, previously a swim-up fry, that is less than one inch in length and has learned to search for food and begin eating. At this stage, you will begin to see a series of dark vertical lines on their sides called parr marks. Description: When the alevins become swim-up fry, they must be fed immediately (Note: For feeding instructions refer to “Trout Care”). Some trout never learn to feed and will die. These non-feeding fish are called “pinheads” (big heads, small bodies) and should be removed as they will not develop. It is very normal to see a mortality spike with pinheads. After learning to feed, the fish are deemed “Fry.” D. Fingerling Definition: A young fish 1 to 3 inches in length. Description: If you keep your aquarium clean and feed your fish the appropriate amount, they will become healthy fingerlings by Spring. I-------------1-3 inches -------- I (back to table of contents) Page 6 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom E. Adult Brook Trout Definition: Pennsylvania’s ONLY native trout and labeled as our state fish. Brook trout are members of the Char family and can be identified by the following characteristics: Physical characteristics Body color Dark green Sides Shade of light green/lavender tone with irregular marks. They also have scattered red dots surrounded by blue halos. Belly Pale yellow/orange with black streak down the middle. Fins Pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are orange with white edge and black stripe. Size At maturity (two to three years of age), wild brook trout range from 5 inches to 18 inches long, depending on availability of food, shelter and water quality. # of eggs Adult females, depending on size, will lay 500-1,200 eggs, with only a small percentage (approximately 1-2%) surviving. Brook trout live in small, coldwater streams within Pennsylvania and throughout the northeastern United States through the Great Lakes and south along the Appalachian Mountains to Georgia. They spawn in the fall, from mid-September to early November. The female digs a shallow gravel nest on the stream bottom called a “redd”. A redd is located where there is good water flow to bring oxygen to the eggs. After spawning, the eggs receive an additional covering of gravel. Eggs develop over winter and hatch in early spring. Trout Life Cycle Stages Duration Eggs (eyed) 5-15 days Hatching/Alevin 2-3 days Yolk sac absorbed/ Fry 1-2 weeks Fry to Fingerling 3-4 weeks Fingerling 4+ weeks Release Date Anytime between April and May (back to table of contents) Page 7 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom The Life Cycle of Trout (back to table of contents) Page 8 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Wild Trout Life Cycle From Nevada TIC Guide (back to table of contents) Page 9 of 74 North Carolina Trout In The Classroom Chapter 2: Trout Habitat and Needs (back to table of contents) Page 10 of 72