The ZIRC Nursery The Basics of a Successful Zebrafish Nursery System European Zebrafish Meeting 2009 Rome, Italy Carrie L. Barton Zebrafish International Resource Center University of Oregon

ZIRC Autonursery System Modular rack system Modular rack system Fully automatic water delivery Fully automatic water delivery 500 ml polycarbonate tanks independent, adjustable water inlet 500 ml polycarbonate tanks independent, adjustable water inletCapacity Functional Capacity = 12,000 fish Total Capacity = 24,000 fish Density = 50 fish per tank

ZIRC Nursery Feeding and Water Schedule Water Flow Progression: Static-12hr-24hr Water Flow Progression: Static-12hr-24hr Food Progression and Size Overlap: Paramecia-Powder-Artemia Food Progression and Size Overlap: Paramecia-Powder-Artemia

The Fundamentals Water Quality Water Quality Food Quantity Food Quantity Food Size Food Size Goal: Embryo to Adult Effectively and Efficiently

Water Quality Pre-nursery Pre-nursery Embryo Medium: Modified E2 Embryo Medium: Modified E2 Egg Quality Egg Quality Schedule Schedule Static vs. Running Water Static vs. Running Water This will largely depend on your particular system This will largely depend on your particular system Flow Rate Flow Rate Clean Water Clean Watervs. Food Retention/Wash Out Food Retention/Wash Out

Food Quantity Relationship to Water Quality Relationship to Water Quality Running Water = More Food Running Water = More Food Static System = Requires More Precise Food Delivery Static System = Requires More Precise Food Delivery Number of Feedings Per Day Number of Feedings Per Day 2-3 is Ideal 2-3 is Ideal Amount Administered at Each Feeding Amount Administered at Each Feeding Density of Fish/Size of Tank Density of Fish/Size of Tank Avoid Overfeeding Avoid Overfeeding Overfeeding = Excessive Food Build Up = Poor Water Quality Overfeeding = Excessive Food Build Up = Poor Water Quality Powdered Feed and Artemia Can Adversely Effect Your Water Quality if Over Fed Powdered Feed and Artemia Can Adversely Effect Your Water Quality if Over Fed Paramecia and Rotifers Can be Fed More Liberally Paramecia and Rotifers Can be Fed More Liberally

Food Choice Commonly Use Foods: Paramecia Paramecia Rotifers Rotifers Artemia Nauplii Artemia Nauplii Powdered Larval Diets Powdered Larval Diets

Brine Shrimp Pros: -Readily available -Easy to culture -Transition food Cons: -Can adversely effect water quality if overfed -Large size limits when it can be fed -Quality is variable season to season Paramecia/RotifersPros: -Can be 4 dpf -Clean food -No overfeeding issues -Stays in water column Cons: -More labor intensive than powdered food -Small size limits when it can be fed Powdered Food Pros: -Wide size range -Commercially Available -Not labor intensive -Transition food Cons: -Can adversely effect water quality if overfed -Limited time in water column Live vs. Powdered Feeds

Food Size Food Particle Size vs. Fish Mouth Size

Food Size Appropriate Size Range and Overlap Paramecium Caudatum < Brine Shrimp (SFB) < Powdered Feeds 250 x 50 µm < 400 x 200 < (Diameter)

Take Home Message The Three Goals The Three Goals Water Quality Water Quality Food Quantity Food Quantity Food Size Food Size -Be Ready and Willing to Observe and Make Modifications- “All Roads Lead to Rome.” Translation: Different Paths Can Take One to the Same Goal.

Contact Information Zebrafish International Resource Center University of Oregon Web Address: Phone: (541)

Environmental Parameters Lighting: 14 hours/day Lighting: 14 hours/day Temperature: 28.5˚C (22-30˚C tolerated) Temperature: 28.5˚C (22-30˚C tolerated) pH: 7.2 to 7.6 pH: 7.2 to 7.6 Conductivity: µS Conductivity: µS Ammonia: 0 ppm Ammonia: 0 ppm Nitrite: 0 ppm Nitrite: 0 ppm Nitrate: < 10 ppm Nitrate: < 10 ppm Exchange rate: 10% per day (RO water) Exchange rate: 10% per day (RO water)