Daniel Schwarz USFWS Private John Allen NFH

 If threat on natural habitat, can Yazoo Darters be successfully bred and reared in captivity?  Develop/refine culture and rearing techniques ◦ Determine spawning cues for species  Water temp, photoperiod, substrate composition and possibly current ◦ Develop feeding regime

 Collected March 2012 ◦ 3 male 7 female  Fish were kept in 3 tanks (115 L) 1 male and 2 female per tank.  Maintain on a recirc. 65°F until Aug. ◦ Constant light to inhibit spawning ◦ Males lost coloration Temperature controlled room Six 115 L and Fifteen 64 L tanks UV and Bio filters 568 L sump

 On 8/3/2012 spawning substrate (sand, gravel, boulder, woody debris) was added to one tank.  Temp was increased by 2°F every 2 weeks to 69°F (Johnston and Haag 2006)  Photoperiod was manually controlled to simulated natural conditions

69°F 2 males and 4 females were moved to constructed stream

 Current temperatures are 73°F  No spawning behavior has been observed  Males are beginning to show return of color  Plans to construct automatic lighting

 Spring 2013 ◦ Collect Yazoo Darters ◦ Allow to spawn immediately after returning to hatchery  Provide appropriate temp, photoperiod and substrate ◦ After viable eggs are produced we can begin developing feeding regimes for offspring.