An Environmental Chamber for Monitoring “In Situ” Growth and Survival of Larval Fishes

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Abstract
An “in situ” experiment using an environmental chamber to monitor growth and survival of laboratory‐produced winter flounder larvae (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) was completed in the Pettaquamscutt Estuary of Narragansett Bay. The prototype enclosure was of open mesh allowing the larvae to be exposed to natural, varying conditions. One thousand larvae were stocked in the chamber where they remained for a 2‐week period. Zooplankton prey concentrations, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were monitored day and night both inside and outside the chamber. Survival rate was 76.8% and all the survivors metamorphosed. Daily specific growth rates were 10.7% dry weight and 1.9% standard length. Sample analyses indicated physical conditions were good for winter flounder growth and that zooplankton prey densities were high. There were no statistically significant differences between prey densities inside and outside the chamber. This research was considered to be a “transitional study” linking laboratory and field research, and results were comparable with previous laboratory and field studies.