TIC Weekly - Week 6
TIC Weekly will feature PFBC’s Trout In the Office (TIO) updates as they raise Rainbow Trout from eyed eggs to fingerlings.
Hello PA TIC participants and partners!
In this week's newsletter, we are going to cover some of the steps you can take to care for your Trout prior to leaving for a long break or vacation. We will discuss the proper way to conduct water changes, as well as, how to properly feed your Trout fry prior to leaving.
Next week, we will go on a virtual field trip with special guests from PA Council of Trout Unlimited and the Clearfield County Conservation District! For next week's virtual field trip, we will be investigating Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD).
PFBC’s Trout In the Office Eggs arrived on September 25, 2020!
Observations
Our TIO Rainbow Trout are growing fast! It is important to continue feeding them as they are actively searching for food to provide the required energy to continue this growth. Some of the fish appear to be growing at an even faster rate when compared to others. This could be attributed to both genetics and competition! It is likely that some of the Trout are more efficient at feeding. As we continue to feed them, our TIO Trout will learn the best locations within the aquarium to target the food we provide.
Water Quality Parameters
Temp - 55 F pH - 8.2 Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrites - 0 ppm Nitrates - 20 ppm DO - 10.9 ppm
This week, we are going to conduct a large water change in preparation for a long weekend. This water change will help with our Nitrogen Cycle! We are going to be removing a lot of the waste that is within the substrate at the bottom of our aquarium. Doing this will ensure we don't have a large ammonia spike while we are away. Adding fresh water will also help to keep our fish happy and healthy!
Life Stage Facts
If you look closely at our Rainbow Trout you can see all of their developed fins! Currently, these fins appear to be almost translucent. As our fish continue to grow, you will notice these fins starting to have more color. With our Rainbow Trout, dark spots will begin to appear throughout the caudal or tail fin. This is one characteristic that we can use to help us identify these fish!