Transcript Zebrafish, Danio rerio, Husbandry, Egg to Egg, the Do’s
The ZIRC Nursery
The Basics of a Successful Zebrafish Nursery System
European Zebrafish Meeting 2009 Rome, Italy Carrie L. Barton Zebrafish International Resource Center University of Oregon
ZIRC Autonursery System
• Modular rack system • Fully automatic water delivery • 500 ml polycarbonate tanks independent, adjustable water inlet Capacity Functional Capacity = 12,000 fish Total Capacity = 24,000 fish Density = 50 fish per tank
ZIRC Nursery Feeding and Water Schedule
• Water Flow Progression: Static-12hr-24hr • Food Progression and Size Overlap: Paramecia-Powder-Artemia
The Fundamentals
Goal: Embryo to Adult Effectively and Efficiently • Water Quality • Food Quantity • Food Size
Water Quality
•
Pre-nursery
• Embryo Medium: Modified E2 • Egg Quality •
Schedule
• Static vs. Running Water • This will largely depend on your particular system •
Flow Rate
• Clean Water
vs.
• Food Retention/Wash Out
Food Quantity
•
Relationship to Water Quality
• • Running Water = More Food Static System = Requires More Precise Food Delivery •
Number of Feedings Per Day
• 2-3 is Ideal •
Amount Administered at Each Feeding
• Density of Fish/Size of Tank • • • Avoid Overfeeding •
Overfeeding = Excessive Food Build Up = Poor Water Quality
Powdered Feed and Artemia Can Adversely Effect Your Water Quality if Over Fed Paramecia and Rotifers Can be Fed More Liberally
Food Choice
Commonly Use Foods:
• •
Paramecia
• •
Rotifers Artemia Nauplii Powdered Larval Diets
Live vs. Powdered Feeds
Brine Shrimp Pros: -Readily available -Easy to culture -Transition food Paramecia/Rotifers Pros: -Can be fed @ 4 dpf -Clean food -No overfeeding issues -Stays in water column Cons: -
Can adversely effect water quality if overfed -Large size limits when it can be fed -Quality is variable season to season
Cons: -
More labor intensive than powdered food -Small size limits when it can be fed
Powdered Food Pros: -Wide size range -Commercially Available -Not labor intensive -Transition food Cons: -
Can adversely effect water quality if overfed -Limited time in water column
Food Size
Food Particle Size vs. Fish Mouth Size
Food Size
Appropriate Size Range and Overlap
Paramecium Caudatum < Brine Shrimp (SFB) < Powdered Feeds 250 x 50 µm < 400 x 200 < 100-450 (Diameter)
Take Home Message
“
All Roads Lead to Rome.
” Translation: Different Paths Can Take One to the Same Goal.
The Three Goals
•
Water Quality
•
Food Quantity
•
Food Size -Be Ready and Willing to Observe and Make Modifications-
Contact Information
Zebrafish International Resource Center University of Oregon Web Address: www.zebrafish.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (541) 346-6028
Environmental Parameters
• • • • • • • •
Lighting: 14 hours/day Temperature: 28.5˚C (22-30˚C tolerated) pH: 7.2 to 7.6
Conductivity: 500 1500 µS Ammonia: 0 ppm Nitrite: 0 ppm Nitrate: < 10 ppm Exchange rate: 10% per day (RO water)