Research on growing fish

A similar program but with salmon-
All Salmon in the Classroom projects begin with an application to obtain salmon eggs from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. each school should be prepared to secure its own aquarium and refrigeration equipment (approximately $800).
Equipment Needs
* 55-gallon tank with lid (lights optional) under-gravel filter for 55-gallon aquarium
* air pump (Whisper 900 or equivalent)
* 50 lbs. of aquarium gravel - neutral color
* dechlorinator - at least an 8 oz. bottle
* tubing - approx. 10 ft. to connect air pump
* gravel vacuum siphon
* thermometer
* 2 dip nets - 5" width
* battery operated air pump
* stand for the aquarium
* chiller with 1/3 hp condenser
(http://wdfw.wa.gov/outreach/education/salclass.htm).
“The eggs are in a redd (nest) in the tank – we try to simulate that – and water flows through and kids watch newly fertilized eggs,” Kraus said. “Then in late fall they see the eyeballs develop right there, we call those eyed eggs, and in mid to late winter the eggs hatch. Then they’re free-moving alevin. Those fish are not good swimmers and they have a yolk sac. They burrow into the gravel so we cluster little piles of rock so they have place to hide, and they absorb the yolk sac for rest of winter. Ideally in nature that coincides with spring break up, an optimum time for food availability.”The eggs in the aquariums develop at a rate similar to that in the local streams. In most cases the fry are taken to an area landlocked lake in May, where they can be released and not affect the wild salmon populations. In some cases hatchery-raised rainbow trout are released at the same time, and students get to see the fish stocking process. (http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlife_news.view_article&articles_id=170).
Zoos with fish conservation programs-
http://www.zsl.org/conservation/conservation-programmes/marine-freshwater/
http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/TeacherResources/HatcheryManager.htm
http://www.printnpost.net/articles/4196/1/Fort-Worth-Zoo-Endangered-Species-Survival-Plans/Page1.html



Growing the fish-
Newly hatched young feed on zooplankton and insect larvae. On reaching 4 in (10 cm), they begin to prey on other fish. eggs hatch in less than four days at water temperatures of about 70°F (21°C). Young fish are found in quieter water, usually over silt or sand bottoms. (http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0193-7933_ITM).
Colorado pikeminnows are primarily piscivorous (they eat fish), but smaller individuals also eat insects and other invertebrates. (http://dwrcdc.nr.utah.gov/rsgis2/search/Display.asp?FlNm=ptycluci).