Our Tanks

Original Tank - Located in science lab

Second Tank - located in my classroom

Tanks are Ready

Our tanks at the BJHS are up and ready to go. The chillers were tested earlier this year, and now we have one of the tanks set at 57 F, and the other is set at 52 F. This will be one of our variables this year, as we are going to do some experiments between the two tanks. The colder tank also will have the eggs placed in a net breeder, while the warmer tank will have the eggs placed directly into the gravel.

Other PA Trout

So let's take a look at other PA trout species:

Brown Trout (from the Little Juniata River)

Rainbow Trout (from the Connoquenessing Creek)

Golden Rainbow (from Thorn Creek)

Tiger Trout (from the Clarion River)

So what is a Brookie?

The brook trout is the only native trout species to Pennsylvania. I guess this is only partially true, as a brookie is not a true trout, but in the char family. Native to all of PA, it has slowly been pushed to the headwater streams by thermal pollution and competition from introduced brown and rainbow trout. This fish was caught from a small tributary to the Clarion River.

Release Site

Our release site last year was the Connoquenessing Creek in downtown Butler. This is approved trout water and located at the area known as the downtown athletic field.

This year we are scheduled to release all of our fingerlings in the Connoquenessing watershed, and might put some in the Connoquenessing tributaries.

Eggs have been Spawned

After receiving an e-mail from the Trout in the Classroom coordinator, Amidea Daniel, all participants in this year's TIC program were informed that our brook trout eggs were spawned September 30, 2009 at the Benner Spring Fish Culture Station. Eggs will be shipped November 3rd, and should be received either November 4th or 5th. Bring on the brookies!!!

Last Year's Results

A little bit of history from last year. We received 302 viable brook trout eggs from the PA Fish and Boat Commission last year. After making a release of fish in March to alleviate aquarium crowding conditions, we kept some fish until the end of May for a final release. Combined, 93 brookies were released into the Connoquenessing Creek in downtown Butler. Our largest fish, "Massive" taped out over 5 inches long when released!!