1/25/2011 Update

The last time we talked about the salmon the water had perfect temperature and everything else was pretty good too. Now they are getting bigger and most of them are all pretty close to buttoning up. Buttoning up is when their yolk sacs disappear. Then they migrate to the middle of the tank, then once all of their yolk sacs are gone then we can start feeding them fish food!

Update –

We just now saw them swimming at the top of the tank. So we put a pinch of some fish food in there for the ones at the top. Watching them is very exciting!

My babies have grown: A mother’s intuition

The salmon tank has amazingly clear water. I did all  of the tests and they came up as everything was normal, except the ammonia. The ammonia is off a little because the salmon are starting to produce waste, which means they are going to the bathroom.

The salmon are starting to swim but not very much yet. They mostly lay in the gravel. They still have their yolk sac, the yolk sac is food for them, it also gives them nutrients and it helps them grow. This means they are in stage two of development.

They look so cute…and pretty soon we’re going to be able to feed them.

WLACE Student: Alyssa Hanusasky

Alevin Stage

Stage # 2: Alevins

The alevins are mixed in with the eggs that have not hatched. 

Stage # 2: Salmon Alevins

The alevins hatch from within the salmon eggs.  As the salmon grow and develop space becomes very limited.  Wiggling motion within the egg causes the protective layer to rip and the alevin pushes out.  Alevin will continue to grow and develop within the gravel.  Attached to their stomach is a yolk sac.  The yolk sac will provide the nutrients for 24-30 days.  During this time period the alevins will continue to grow and develop.    

Motherly Instincts Update

Thursday 12-2-10

In the tank I see that the water is very clean and all the tests are right where they should be. 

·       The temperature is 44° F

·       The ph balance is 7.6 , where it should be

·       Nitrate is 0 ppm ,good

·       Nitrite is 0 ppm , good

·       Ammonia is 0.25 ppm , good

·       The dissolved oxygen is 4 ppm , good

·       Phosphate is 2 ppm good

·       And the high range test is perfect too with a 8.2

WLACE Alyssa Hanusosky

The eggs looked normal except for a few that had white gooey stuff forming around the egg. The white gooey stuff could  illustrate infection within the egg.

Salmon Update!

November 19, 2010

The salmon eggs are have continued to develop.  The eggs are starting to show shadows of the developing embryo.  Veins and blood vessels are visible on many of the eggs.  I believe we have one fatality among the eggs.  The key characteristic for determining dead eggs is the color.  Pale cream/white is commonly associated with death.  The dead egg can be seen in today's picture.  This is WLACE's first salmon fatality!



Updated River Ecosystem

Updated by: WLACE student Drew Sanger 

The Egg

When adult salmon enter the river to spawn, each female salmon can lay 2,000 to 2,500 eggs.  The eggs are pink/orange in color.  The average size ranges from 6 to 9 mm in diameter.  Salmon eggs consist of a  transparent membrane that protects the egg from predators or other disturbances while in the river.  Salmon eggs are very sensitive and one in 10 eggs will survive in the wild.