Effect of two temperature regimes from a deep and a surface water release on early development of salmonids

In order to test the effect of regulated water temperature on the development of eggs and alevins of three salmonid species, deep and surface water from an oligotrophic lake was pumped into a hatchery. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) clearly needed the highest number of degree-days to reach the different developmental stages while brown trout (Salmo trutta) needed just a little more than the brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Eggs and alevins developed in the surface water, which was colder in winter, needed a lower number of degree-days to reach the hatch and swim-up stages. In spite of this there was a considerable difference in time for hatching and start of feeding of fish in the two temperature regimes. This might have consequences for the reproduction success and competition between species in regulated rivers.