Several teachers have expressed concern over mortality of eggs, sac fry or alevins at this early stage. What you are experiencing is mother nature at work. It is perfectly normal to see losses at all stages of life. I remember delivering between 350 and 400 eggs last year to Marilyn Steneken’s class and later releasing about 50 fish. While that may seem like a large loss, I think Sparta Middle School would tell you that it was one of, if not the, best years ever for success! Of course, we are seeing some losses due to high water temps, overfeeding, etc. and this too is a part of the experience. One thought that my counterpat in NY gave me is to have schools who’ve experienced large losses share alevins from another school. This helps build a sense of community with our TIC classes and I urge you to reach out to one another if you need help. Of course, you can always reach out to yours truly. Remeber that losses are a natural process and go a long way in teaching our students about life. Just wait until it’s time for CANNIBALISM!!! Again, a perfectly natural process both in nature and in our tanks. Happy parenting.
New York TIC’s FAQ (a useful resource)
What is the timeline for raising trout in a classroom?
The general timeline for TIC in New York is that classrooms set up cold water tanks in September, get brown or brook trout eggs in October or November, andraise the trout over the school year. The fingerlings are then released in the spring, into appropriatestreams and rivers. It is important tonote that some states work on slightly different timelines; it depends on localclimate and the species of trout you raise.
What type of trout do classes raise?
In New York,classes raise brown trout and brook trout. Many factors affect the type of trout a class can raise. Different states have different nativespecies, as well as different regulations as to what is permitted. To find out what is available to you, checkwith your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife or with your local chapterof TU.
What kind of equipment is needed?
The tank set-up includes a UV sterilizer, filter, pump, aeration device, and a chiller. Then, many other smaller items for tank maintenance are also required. You can read a full list here. Keeping this equipment clean is easy to do atthe end of each year; here are the details.