The ZIRC Nursery The ZIRC Nursery The Basics of a SuccessfulThe Basics of a SuccessfulZebrafish Nursery SystemZebrafish Nursery System

European Zebrafish Meeting 2009European Zebrafish Meeting 2009

Rome, ItalyRome, Italy

Carrie L. BartonCarrie L. Barton

Zebrafish International Resource Zebrafish International Resource CenterCenter

University of OregonUniversity of Oregon

ZIRC Autonursery System ZIRC Autonursery System

• Modular rack systemModular rack system

• Fully automatic water deliveryFully automatic water delivery

• 500 ml polycarbonate tanks 500 ml polycarbonate tanks independent, adjustable water independent, adjustable water inlet inlet

CapacityCapacity

Functional Capacity = 12,000 fishFunctional Capacity = 12,000 fish

Total Capacity = 24,000 fishTotal Capacity = 24,000 fish

Density = 50 fish per tankDensity = 50 fish per tank

ZIRC Nursery Feeding and Water ScheduleZIRC Nursery Feeding and Water Schedule

• Water Flow Progression: Static-12hr-24hrWater Flow Progression: Static-12hr-24hr

• Food Progression and Size Overlap: Paramecia-Powder-ArtemiaFood Progression and Size Overlap: Paramecia-Powder-Artemia

The FundamentalsThe Fundamentals

• Water QualityWater Quality

• Food QuantityFood Quantity

• Food SizeFood Size

Goal: Embryo to Adult Effectively Goal: Embryo to Adult Effectively and Efficientlyand Efficiently

Water QualityWater Quality• Pre-nurseryPre-nursery

• Embryo Medium: Modified E2Embryo Medium: Modified E2

• Egg QualityEgg Quality

• ScheduleSchedule

• Static vs. Running WaterStatic vs. Running Water

• This will largely depend on your This will largely depend on your

particular systemparticular system

• Flow RateFlow Rate

• Clean WaterClean Water

vs.vs.

• Food Retention/Wash OutFood Retention/Wash Out

Food QuantityFood Quantity

• Relationship to Water QualityRelationship to Water Quality• Running Water = More FoodRunning Water = More Food• Static System = Requires More Precise Food DeliveryStatic System = Requires More Precise Food Delivery

• Number of Feedings Per DayNumber of Feedings Per Day• 2-3 is Ideal2-3 is Ideal

• Amount Administered at Each FeedingAmount Administered at Each Feeding• Density of Fish/Size of TankDensity of Fish/Size of Tank• Avoid OverfeedingAvoid Overfeeding

• Overfeeding = Excessive Food Build Up = Poor Water QualityOverfeeding = Excessive Food Build Up = Poor Water Quality• Powdered Feed and Artemia Can Adversely Effect Your Powdered Feed and Artemia Can Adversely Effect Your

Water Quality if Over FedWater Quality if Over Fed• Paramecia and Rotifers Can be Fed More LiberallyParamecia and Rotifers Can be Fed More Liberally

Food ChoiceFood Choice

Commonly Use Foods:Commonly Use Foods:• ParameciaParamecia• RotifersRotifers

• Artemia NaupliiArtemia Nauplii• Powdered Larval DietsPowdered Larval Diets

Brine ShrimpBrine ShrimpPros:Pros:

-Readily available-Readily available

-Easy to culture-Easy to culture

-Transition food-Transition food

Cons:Cons:--Can adversely effect Can adversely effect water quality if overfedwater quality if overfed

-Large size limits when -Large size limits when it can be fedit can be fed

-Quality is variable -Quality is variable season to seasonseason to season

Paramecia/RotifersParamecia/RotifersPros:Pros:

-Can be fed @ 4 dpf-Can be fed @ 4 dpf

-Clean food-Clean food

-No overfeeding issues-No overfeeding issues

-Stays in water column-Stays in water column

Cons:Cons:--More labor intensive More labor intensive than powdered foodthan powdered food

-Small size limits when it -Small size limits when it can be fedcan be fed

Powdered FoodPowdered FoodPros:Pros:

-Wide size range-Wide size range

-Commercially -Commercially AvailableAvailable

-Not labor intensive-Not labor intensive

-Transition food-Transition food

Cons:Cons:--Can adversely effect Can adversely effect water quality if overfedwater quality if overfed

-Limited time in water -Limited time in water columncolumn

Live vs. Powdered FeedsLive vs. Powdered Feeds

Food SizeFood Size

Food Particle Size vs. Fish Mouth SizeFood Particle Size vs. Fish Mouth Size

Food SizeFood Size

Appropriate Size Range and OverlapAppropriate Size Range and Overlap

Paramecium Caudatum < Brine Shrimp (SFB) < Powdered FeedsParamecium Caudatum < Brine Shrimp (SFB) < Powdered Feeds

250 x 50 250 x 50 µµm < 400 x 200 m < 400 x 200 < < 100-450 (Diameter)100-450 (Diameter)

Take Home MessageTake Home Message

The Three GoalsThe Three Goals• Water QualityWater Quality• Food QuantityFood Quantity• Food SizeFood Size

-Be Ready and Willing to Observe and Make Modifications--Be Ready and Willing to Observe and Make Modifications-

““All Roads Lead to Rome.All Roads Lead to Rome.””Translation:Translation: Different Paths Can Take One to Different Paths Can Take One to

the Same Goal.the Same Goal.

Contact InformationContact Information

Zebrafish International Resource CenterZebrafish International Resource Center

University of OregonUniversity of Oregon

Web Address: Web Address: www.zebrafish.org

Email: Email: zirc@zebrafish.org

Phone: (541) 346-6028Phone: (541) 346-6028

Environmental ParametersEnvironmental Parameters

• Lighting: 14 hours/dayLighting: 14 hours/day

• Temperature: 28.5˚C (22-30˚C tolerated)Temperature: 28.5˚C (22-30˚C tolerated)

• pH: 7.2 to 7.6pH: 7.2 to 7.6

• Conductivity: 500 -1500 µSConductivity: 500 -1500 µS

• Ammonia: 0 ppmAmmonia: 0 ppm

• Nitrite: 0 ppmNitrite: 0 ppm

• Nitrate: < 10 ppmNitrate: < 10 ppm

• Exchange rate: 10% per day (RO water)Exchange rate: 10% per day (RO water)