Effects of Female Age and Egg Size on Growth and Mortality in Rainbow Trout

Abstract

Progeny from 2- and 5-year-old brood stock of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were studied for 324 days after spawning to evaluate the effects of female age and egg size on hatchability, mortality, and growth of fry. The 5-year-old brood stock produced larger eggs with better hatchability, which resulted in larger, faster growing fry and fingerlings with lower mortalities.