Resumption of Feeding by and Survival of Adult Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) Following Advanced Gonad Development

Abstract

Adult, migrating, fasting sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) were held in captivity in fresh water without spawning well beyond the time when they would normally have done so and died. A few of the fish were then gonadectomized and force feeding was begun. A few unoperated fish were fed similarly while the remainder served as unoperated, unfed controls. The gonads of the operated fish were well developed. After a period of feeding of about four months some fish in each group had survived. The fed fish had regained their green color and much of their weight and vigor, while the surviving unfed fish were extremely emaciated and listless. At this time voluntary feeding by the force-fed fish was observed for the first time, and it was then found that the five surviving unfed controls would also take food voluntarily. While two of these fish died without apparent improvement in their condition, the other three gradually regained green color, weight and vigor.