Detecting Swim Bladder Inflation in Fingerling Walleyes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The lack of swim bladder inflation has been recognized as a problem in intensively reared walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum) for many years. This phenomenon has also been recently observed in extensively reared walleye fingerlings. Four methods for detecting the presence of an inflated swim bladder – light table, anesthesia, saltwater float, and radiographic (X-ray) – were compared for accuracy, cost, and effect on survival. The light table method appeared to be fast and inexpensive, but was less accurate than the other three methods, probably because the fish were relatively large: the larger and more pigmented the fish, the more difficult the light table method is to use. The anesthesia method was accurate but time-consuming. The saltwater float method was accurate, simple, and cost-effective, but only dead fish were tested. The X-ray method is easy, accurate, and provides a permanent record, but it is expensive. Survival was not affected by handling or anesthesia in the light table or anesthesia ...

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: