Influence of Hatchery Experience on Growth and Behavior of Juvenile Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) Within Allopatric and Sympatric Stream Populations

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Dickson, T. A., MacCrimmon, H. R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1982
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f82-196; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f82-196

Hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), wild Atlantic salmon and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) (0 + year-class fish) were observed in allopatric or paired sympatric populations using stream tanks at the Matamek Research Station, Quebec. Hatchery-reared salmon maintained a position just off the substrate, a position intermediate to that occupied by wild salmon (bottom) and trout (midwater). Growth rates of hatchery-reared and wild salmon were not statistically different. Neither type had an interactive advantage. It is concluded that the behavioral pattern of hatchery-reared salmon was intermediate to that of wild salmon and trout. This behavioral shift may account for poor survival of planted Atlantic salmon juveniles, a phenomenon suggesting the need for a reexamination of present live release programs using juvenile hatchery-reared salmon.Key words: behavior, hatchery-rearing effects, growth, interspecific interactions, stream tank study, juvenile Atlantic salmon, juvenile brook trout