Inhibition of Salt Water Survival and Na-K-ATPase Elevation in Steelhead Trout (Salmo gairdneri) by Moderate Water Temperatures

Abstract
The steelhead trout metamorphosis from a freshwater parr to a sea water‐tolerant smolt possessing the migration tendency was evaluated at six different growth temperatures ranging from 6 to 15 C during January through July. The highest temperature where a transformation was indicated was 11.3 C. By April fish reared at 6 C had elevated ATPase levels typical of smolts or migratory animals and showed 92% survival in sea water. Ten and 11.3 C‐reared fish showed a short‐lived elevation in ATPase in mid‐April alone concurrently with 100% sea water survival at that time. Only in 6 C‐reared animals did the salt water survival ability continue into May. High ATPase levels likewise were prolonged into May and June only in the 6 C‐reared group. The data indicate that metamorphosis (and therefore successful migration) of juvenile steelhead trout is directly controlled by water temperature.

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