Trout in the Trout in the ClassroomClassroom

We will:We will:

raise trout from eggs to fryraise trout from eggs to fry monitor tank water qualitymonitor tank water quality Study trout stream habitatStudy trout stream habitat learn about water resources and learn about water resources and

conservationconservation

Brook TroutBrook Trout

Only native trout to PAOnly native trout to PA They need low temperature, a lot They need low temperature, a lot

of oxygen, and excellent water of oxygen, and excellent water quality quality

Indicator SpeciesIndicator Species

An organism whose presence reflects An organism whose presence reflects the environmental conditionsthe environmental conditions

They are sensitive to changes in their They are sensitive to changes in their ecosystemecosystem

May get sick, die or leave the areaMay get sick, die or leave the area

TimelineTimeline

Egg collection Eggs shipped or delivered to schoolsEggs shipped or delivered to schools

TimelineTimeline We get approximately 300 eggsWe get approximately 300 eggs

They will hatch in 2-3 weeks They will hatch in 2-3 weeks (called alevin or sac-fry)(called alevin or sac-fry)

TimelineTimeline

The fish will The fish will begin to swim up begin to swim up and look for food and look for food after approx. 1 after approx. 1 week (Fry)week (Fry)

When they are 1-When they are 1-3 inches they will 3 inches they will be called be called fingerlingsfingerlings

Adult Brook Trout Adult Brook Trout Color and MarkingsColor and Markings

Reddish orange on belly and under Reddish orange on belly and under finsfins

Yellow spots on sidesYellow spots on sides Yellow-brown worm-like markings on Yellow-brown worm-like markings on

it’s backit’s back Red spots with blue haloes across Red spots with blue haloes across

each sideeach side

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle1)1) Feed the fishFeed the fish2)2) Extra food and fish waste turn to ammonia Extra food and fish waste turn to ammonia

(NH4)(NH4)3)3) The ammonia changes into nitrites (NO2)The ammonia changes into nitrites (NO2)4)4) The nitrites change into nitrates (NO3)The nitrites change into nitrates (NO3)5)5) Nitrates can poison the fish so you must clean Nitrates can poison the fish so you must clean

the tank and change the waterthe tank and change the water

Aquarium JobsAquarium Jobs

Check and record temperatureCheck and record temperature Remove dead eggs (later, fish), Remove dead eggs (later, fish),

record numbersrecord numbers Make water exchangesMake water exchanges Water quality tests, record Water quality tests, record

resultsresults Dust and clean equipmentDust and clean equipment Clean filter partsClean filter parts Later, Siphon tankLater, Siphon tank

Nitrogen CycleNitrogen Cycle