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How to assess fin damage in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2007

Jeannine Person-Le Ruyet
Affiliation:
IFREMER Centre de Brest, BP 70, 29280 Plouzané, France
Nicolas Le Bayon
Affiliation:
IFREMER Centre de Brest, BP 70, 29280 Plouzané, France
Sylvie Gros
Affiliation:
IFREMER Centre de Brest, BP 70, 29280 Plouzané, France
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Abstract

Fin condition was examined in 100–500 g hatchery-reared rainbow trout sampled in a large range of environmental conditions of an experimental farm. A method that is simple to use, requires little training, and does not need costly sophisticated equipment or reference to a model is proposed to assess fin erosion (defined as a decrease in size and profile alteration of fins). A procedure to reliably measure the length of the longest ray present in two selected fins (dorsal and pectoral) is described. Fin general profile is assessed using five levels of erosion based on the precise rank of intact or eroded rays to limit subjective bias. The suitability of the two descriptors of fin erosion under laboratory, farm or field conditions is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD, 2007

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