TRIP

Introduction

Very large rainbow trout above 5 kg up to 8 kg is a highly valued product in several markets. Genetics, local temperature profile and environmental conditions in general does however not always allow production of this size fish in time to avoid the risk of maturation. The solution is triploidization of the chromosomes, efficiently sterilising the fish and eliminating the risk of maturation.

Triploid fish will continue to grow throughout their lifecycle without the setback of maturation allowing farmers to produce (almost) any size desired.

Despite the obvious advantage of triploids in relation to, these products do also come with considerations.

• Triploidization alters the shape of the red blood cells and the affinity of these to oxygen, meaning that the fish will be more vulnerable to fluctuations in oxygen and low oxygen saturation in general. Hence triploids should only be produced under optimal conditions, where a certain minimum oxygen saturation can be guarantied at all times.
• Somewhat linked to the above, triploid fish tend to be more sensitive to handling and stress full conditions, heart failure and sudden mortality is often seen in relation to handling and other stressors.
• Although AquaSearch only uses high pressure technology (the more gentle method), deformity frequency will be higher, than what is seen in conventional diploid fish. Spinal deformities may occasionally be correlated with uneven fillet pigmentation. Individual batches may be affected in up 5 – 10 % of the fish.