White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Embryo Development, and Early Growth and Survival at Different Temperatures

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Abstract
White suckers (C. commersoni) were exposed from fertilization through hatching to 7 constant temperatures from 6.2-24.1.degree. C. High percentages of apparently normal larvae hatched at temperatures from 9.0-17.2.degree. C. Maximum percent hatch occurred at 15.2.degree. C, while only a few normal larvae were produced at 6.2.degree. C, and none at 24.1.degree. C. Growth rates increased from near zero at 10.0.degree. C to a maximum at 26.9.degree. C. At 29.7.degree. C growth fell below the maximum (P < 0.05), and the incidence of spinal deformities was high. Death rates were uniformly low from 15.7-26.9.degree. C and were significantly higher at 10.0 and 29.7.degree. C (P < 0.05). The rate of net biomass gain for test groups was maximum at 26.9.degree. C. Net rates of biomass gain declined progressively with temperatures below 26.9.degree. C until by 10.0.degree. C the rate of population growth became less than the rate of weight loss through deaths within the population. The temperature producing maximum hatching success, 15.degree. C, was nearly 12.degree. C lower than that providing for maximum growth and net biomass gain. Upper thermal 1, 2, and 7 day TL50 values [lethal temperature that kills 50% of the population] for both newly hatched and swim-up larvae, when acclimated to 9 and 10.degree. C, were between 28 and 29.degree. C. When acclimated to 15 and 21.degree. C, they were between 30 and 32.degree. C. Lower 1 day TL50 temperature values for both groups of larvae acclimated to 21.degree. C were near 3.degree. C (< 2.9), 2 day TL50 values were approximately 0.5.degree. C higher, and 7 day values were 4.8.degree. C for newly hatched larvae and 6.1.degree. C for swim-up larvae.

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