Survival of Rainbow Trout Eggs after Receiving Physical Shocks of Known Magnitude

Abstract Salmonid eggs are known to be sensitive to physical shock at certain stages of development. Survivability of the eggs is unknown when incubating under natural conditions and subjected to the seismic shock of underground nuclear detonations. Rainbow trout eggs were incubated to various stages of development (37.5, 75, 125 or 250 Temperature Units) in simulated redds and subjected to five sequential physical shocks of either 1, 2, 5 or 10 g. Eggs were then allowed to continue incubation to hatch or near hatch. Results indicated no significant difference in survival of eggs subjected to physical shocks of these four magnitudes at the various developmental stages when compared to eggs subjected to no shock. There was no significant difference in egg survival after shocking at 8.2 C (47 F) or at 11.1 C (52 F).