Effects of Gravel Size, Egg Depth, and Egg Density on Intragravel Movement and Emergence of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) Alevins

Abstract

In experimental aquaria with large gravel (3.2–6.3 cm), vertical and lateral movements of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) alevins were more extensive and area utilized per alevin was greater than in small gravel (1.9–3.2 cm). At low density (50 per aquarium) the alevins moved farther towards the inlet, but the mean area occupied per alevin was the same as that at high density (100 per aquarium). Burial depths tested (20 and 30 cm) had no significant effect on vertical or lateral movements or on area utilized per alevin. Alevin orientation in the gravel, survival to emergence, and timing of emergence were not affected by any of the environmental variables examined.