My Fishy Journey Continues

Morgan BrizendineDFP student at Mora National Fish

Hatchery

Journey Here

• B.S. in Fisheries Science with double minor in Biology and Watershed Management from Virginia Tech (2013)

Journey Here

• STEP student at the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center at Virginia Tech (May 2011 – January 2013)

Journey Here

• Conservation Career Symposium 2013 participant

Journey Here

• M.S. in Natural Resources with concentration in Fisheries Conservation and Management at the University of Arizona

DFP student at Mora National Fish Hatchery

• Daily feeding and fish poop cleaning• Memorable first stocking trip

Physical performance and condition of Gila trout reared in different

hatchery environments

Mora National Fish Hatchery

Morgan Brizendine, Nate Wiese, and Jeff Conway

Background• Raceways– Low velocity– Hatchery standard

• Circular tanks– Barren and high velocity• Fish exercised• Lack of sensory cues in environment

– Natural systems/Natural media• Lower stress levels in fish• Stimulates brain growth• Better natural coloration, flight response, etc.

http://www.fishwallpapers.com/wallpapers/gila-trout-pic.jpg

Project Goal

• Determine the physical performance and condition of Gila trout fry reared in raceways and in circular tanks with either natural media or no media

Methods

• 3 raceways with blue interiors and low velocity

Methods

• 3 circular tanks with brown interiors and high velocity

Methods

• 3 circular tanks with brown interiors and natural media

Methods

• Daily– Water quality– Mortalities

• Weekly – Natural coloration– Fin condition• Dorsal, anal, caudal fins

– Fork length and weight

Methods• Bioimpedance– Estimate protein and fat content of fish

• Viscerosomatic Index, Hepatosomatic Index– Estimates fat content of fish

Results

Acknowledgements

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directorate Resource Assistant Fellows Program

• Student Conservation Association• Mora National Fish Hatchery crew• Drs. Kenneth Ostrand and Kyle Hanson