1. My Fishy Journey Continues Morgan Brizendine DFP student at Mora National Fish Hatchery

2. Journey Here B.S. in Fisheries Science with double minor in Biology and Watershed Management from Virginia Tech (2013)

3. Journey Here STEP student at the Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Center at Virginia Tech (May 2011 – January 2013)

4. Journey Here Conservation Career Symposium 2013 participant

5. Journey Here M.S. in Natural Resources with concentration in Fisheries Conservation and Management at the University of Arizona

6. DFP student at Mora National Fish Hatchery Daily feeding and fish poop cleaning Memorable first stocking trip

7. Physical performance and condition of Gila trout reared in different hatchery environments Mora National Fish Hatchery Morgan Brizendine, Nate Wiese, and Jeff Conway

8. Background Raceways – Low velocity – Hatchery standard Circular tanks – Barren and high velocity Fish exercised Lack of sensory cues in environment – Natural systems/Natural media Lower stress levels in fish Stimulates brain growth Better natural coloration, flight response, etc. http://www.fishwallpapers.com /wallpapers/gila-trout-pic.jpg

9. Project Goal Determine the physical performance and condition of Gila trout fry reared in raceways and in circular tanks with either natural media or no media

10. Methods 3 raceways with blue interiors and low velocity

11. Methods 3 circular tanks with brown interiors and high velocity

12. Methods 3 circular tanks with brown interiors and natural media

13. Methods Daily – Water quality – Mortalities Weekly – Natural coloration – Fin condition Dorsal, anal, caudal fins – Fork length and weight

14. Methods Bioimpedance – Estimate protein and fat content of fish Viscerosomatic Index, Hepatosomatic Index – Estimates fat content of fish

15. Results

16. Acknowledgements U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Directorate Resource Assistant Fellows Program Student Conservation Association Mora National Fish Hatchery crew Drs. Kenneth Ostrand and Kyle Hanson