Survival, growth and dressing traits of triploid hybrids between rainbow trout and three charr species

Abstract

Triploid hybrids between female rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and male brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis, Arctic charr S. alpinus and lake charr S. namaycush, together with diploid and triploid rainbow trout controls from the same dams, were tested in freshwater farming up to their fourth year of life. All hybrids displayed lower survival rates than the controls, the weakest genotype being the Arctic charr hybrid. Mortalities were mostly observed at the embryonic and larval stages and at the adult stage as a consequence of male sexual maturation. Growth of all hybrids was hindered (compared with controls) during the first year, but only moderate differences remained after 3 years. Sexual maturation resulted in a weight inferiority of males in all genotypes. As to carcass traits, female hybrids displayed a slightly higher dressing percentage than female triploid rainbow trout, as a result of lower visceral losses. These results are discussed with reference to hybrid resistance to rhabdoviruses from the viewpoint of fish farming improvement.