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: [email protected]
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)