Author(s)

Edgar Meza, Misty D. Jones, Nathan Huysman, Jill M. Voorhees, Michael E. Barnes

Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, McNenny State Fish Hatchery, Spearfish, South Dakota, USA.

This study examined the effects of five different colors of vertically-suspended environmental enrichment on the growth of juvenile Shasta strain rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during hatchery rearing in circular tanks. The colors used were silver (unpainted aluminum—control), safety red, semi-gloss black, hunter green, and safety blue. After 86 days, total tank weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ration were not significantly different among any of the color treatments. Individual fish weights, lengths, and condition factors were also not significantly different among the treatments. The results of this study indicate that the relatively small amount of color present on the suspended structure did not affect rainbow trout growth. Thus, the inherent silver color of the aluminum angles does not need to be changed.

Environmental Enrichment, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmonids, Color

Meza, E. , Jones, M. , Huysman, N. , Voorhees, J. and Barnes, M. (2020) Color of Vertically-Suspended Structure Does Not Impact the Growth of Rainbow Trout Reared in Circular Tanks. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 10, 706-713. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2020.104045.