30 Days Before Eggs Are Received

Assemble all parts for aquarium setup (see suggested equipment list)

Set up the bio-system in the tank:

1. Temperature 65°F (18°C).
2. Start nutrient cycle by adding Stress Zyme or equivalent.

12-24 Hours Before Eggs Arrive

1. Temperature down to 50-52°F (10-11°C).

Placing Eggs in the Water

1. As a rule of thumb, a tank can accomodate 100 eyed trout eggs for every 25 gallons of volume.
2. Place the entire sealed egg container (which should be full of its own water) into the tank.  This allows the eggs to slowly acclimate to their new temperature.
3. After 15-30 minutes (when jar and tank temperature are within 1 degree), gently pour the eggs into the hatching basket.

After Your Eggs Are in the Water

1. Eggs should be placed in a net- type breeding basket or vibert box.
2. Keep the tank shadowed with a dark and/or insulating cover. You can remove it for viewing…or cut a viewing window. This cover gives darkness for the eggs, and helps keep the temperature down.

Egg Maintenance

• Dead eggs must be removed each day. They are opaque white. Use a large-mouthed eyedropper (some have also used a turkey baster) or small scoop/net to remove.

Hatching

• When eggs hatch, alevin will lie on sides, with egg sack still attached…feeding from it.
• Soon they will “right” themselves, but remain low in the basket. As egg sac is consumed, they begin to rise. Please see Trout Feeding for instructions on when to begin, quantity, and frequency of feeding.
• Eventually, they will swim up over the basked edge into the larger area of the tank.

Trout Maintenance

• Once your trout have started eating, siphon-vacuum your gravel every 2-3 weeks.  Be sure to carefully remove the detritus that accumulates underneath the gravel.
• Expect losses…non eating pinheads…some deformities…surprises!
• In six months, fry will be ready to release! Find out from your TIC coordinator how to get the appropriate permits.