Competition for Spawning Space Between Brown (Salmo trutta) and Rainbow Trout (S. gairdneri) in a Lake Inlet Tributary, New Zealand

Abstract

Effect of interference competition for spawning space on spawning success of brown (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (S. gairdneri) was studied in the main spawning tributary of Lake Alexandrina, New Zealand. Competition was mediated through redd superimposition and severely limited the spawning success of both species. Overall spawning success, from egg deposition to fry emergence, was 2.1% for rainbow trout and 0.2% for brown trout and was dependent on time of spawning. Brown trout spawned from April to June and rainbow trout spawned from April to October. Brown trout and early spawning rainbow trout experienced poor spawning success due to severe redd superimposition by later spawning rainbows. Late spawning rainbows experienced highest spawning success. Redd superimposition by rainbow trout caused a 94% reduction in spawning success of brown trout in an experimental section of stream. Severe intraspecific competition for spawning space, through redd super-imposition, determined pattern and timing of peak rainbow fry emergence.