PRE-CONDITIONING PROCESS FOR INDUCED SPAWNING

• US 3,741,158 A
• Filed: 11/29/1971
• Issued: 06/26/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jay P. Dunathan, Martin A. Moe Jr
• Original Assignee: Jay P. Dunathan, Martin A. Moe Jr
• Inventors: Moe, Martin A. Jr., Dunathan, Jay P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Louis G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Oliff, J. A.
• Application Number:
  US05/202,809
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 119/2-4
• US Class Current: 119/217
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/17 Hatching, e.g. incubators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/81 Aquaculture, e.g. of fish

Abstract

A process for pre-conditioning of fish in preparation for induced spawning which comprises isolating a brood stock of sexually immature or inactive fish from the natural environment by placing the stock into a water media suitable for sustaining life in a healthy condition, whereby water quality, temperature and degree of light exposure and light intensity can each be selectively controlled, adjusting the temperature and degree of light exposure and intensity so that sexual development of the brood stock is suppressed until spawning is desired and thereafter readjusting the temperature and degree of light exposure and intensity so that sexual maturity of the brood stock is rapidly attained.

Claims

1. A process for pre-conditioning pompano in preparation for induced spawning which comprises isolating a brood stock of sexually immature fish from the natural environment by placing the stock into a water media suitable for sustaining life in a healthy condition, limiting the light exposure to a period of between 8 and 10 continuous hours per 24 hour period during which the intensity of light is between 500 and 1,000 foot candles and the water temperature is maintained between 90*C. and 23*C. for suppressing the sexual development of the brood stock until spawning is desired, and thereafter readjusting the temperature and degree of light exposure and intensity by increasing the period of light duration to about 16 continuous hours per 24 hour period using a light source having an intensity of between 500 and 1,000 foot candles and the water temperature is maintained at between 25*C. and 29*C. for rapidly attaining the sexual maturity of the brood stock.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the fish density of the brood stock is relatively higher during the period in which sexual maturity is being suppressed than during the period in which sexual maturity is being attained.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein the brood stock is isolated by being placed in a tank having a particulate and biological filtration system and a recirculation system suitable for maintaining the quality of the water sufficient for maintaining the brood stock in a healthy condition.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein each period of light exposure is preceded and succeeded by a period of gradually increasing and decreasing light intensity, respectively, to avoid shock or panic to the brood stock.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein each period of light exposure is preceded and succeeded by a period of 20 to 40 minutes of gradually increasing and decreasing light intensity, respectively, to avoid shock or panic to the brood stock.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein spawning of the brood stock and egg fertilization is induced by treating the stock with a suitable hormone extract.