Selected Methods for Dusky Darter Captive Propagation

Abstract

Past disturbance of eggs or larvae of dusky darters Percina sciera has resulted in almost 100% mortality of the larvae within 9 d of hatch. Photoperiod and water temperature were manipulated to induce dusky darters collected from the wild to spawn in the laboratory. Eggs spawned in gravel spawning trays were transferred while in the trays to specially designed egg incubators. Dusky darter larvae were collected after they emerged from the gravel and swam out of the incubator. Groups of larvae were offered ground TetraMin (≤0.3 mm), zooplankton (≤0.3 mm), or a combination of both foods in aquariums that had circulated or noncirculated water. The highest mean survival per treatment was for zooplankton and no circulation (71%); the lowest mean survival was for TetraMin with no circulation (3%). A dusky darter growth curve from egg to first spawn, approximately 1 year, was developed. Dusky darters reared in the laboratory from eggs were successfully spawned.

Culture of Plains Topminnow in a Pond Constructed for Species Conservation

“…Despite the potential importance of captive propagation to management and conservation actions (Schultz and Bonar 2009), little is known about culture for most threatened or endangered fishes, especially compared with sport and baitfish species (Kline and Bonar 2009). Several nongame fish propagation strategies have been investigated, including rearing of Mohave tui chub Gila bicolor mohavensis (Archdeacon and Bonar 2009), suckermouth minnow Phenacobius mirabilis (Bestgen and Compton 2007), Yaqui topminnow Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis and Yaqui chub G. purpurea (Kline and Bonar 2009), and dusky darter Perca sciera (Labay et al 2004) in laboratory settings. Pond production of small nongame fish has been investigated with baitfish, including Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis (Phelps et al 2010) and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas (Clemment and Stone 2004).…”