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<br />Obiective 4. Determine if flow training enhances survivorship of different size classes of <br />bony tail. This objective had not been field tested as of FY 2001. <br /> <br />Flow Training Hatchery-Reared Bonytail <br /> <br />Initial findings on the effects of flow showed significant increases in mitochondrial volume and <br />muscle fibre diameter in I-year old fish raised for 18 months in constant flow conditions (Lentsch <br />et al. 1996). In 1997, lab experiments which tracked growth over a 12-month period of flow <br />training showed no significant differences between groups with and with out flow training (Crowl <br />and Rivera 2000). In both sets of experiments, I-year old fish averaged <150 nun in total length. <br />It was suggested by the researchers that additional experiments be completed with a larger size <br />range offish. To date, further flow training has not been conducted. <br /> <br />Although the experiments by Crowl and Rivera showed no affects on growth, the earlier <br />experiments did demonstrate a positive physiological response. The potential for flow training in <br />the hatchery setting to affect behavior, growth, or survivorship is still very unclear. If any further <br />research is to be done in this area, it would be most appropriate for it to be conducted on site at <br />the Wahweap State Hatchery. Flow trained fish could then be released and their survivorship <br />could be examined through our standard monitoring. <br /> <br />CONCLUSIONS <br /> <br />. Overall return rates ofbonytail stocked in both the Green and Colorado rivers were <br />consistent with return rates observed for juvenile razorback and pikeminnow <br />reintroductions. However, the recapture rates for stocked bonytail at large more than six <br />months was lower relative to what was experienced in other native fish reintroductions. <br /> <br />. Relative return rates and survival were highest for bonytail released at 300 nun or greater. <br />This includes the 1996 cohort released in 1998 and all bonytail released for telemetry <br />1997-2000. Insufficient data was available to definitively determine the relationship of <br />survivorship and fish size at the time of stocking. <br /> <br />. Growth rates of small bonytail stocked in the fall (October) showed, on average, no <br />change in total length before the onset of their first winter. Although no overall difference <br />was observed between short-term returns for fall and spring stockings, this could indicate <br />too short of an acclimation period prior to overwintering. <br /> <br />. Juvenile bonytail (<150 mm) showed a strong preference for flooded tributary and <br />backwater habitats and larger bonytail (> 150 nun) were more prevalent in flowing habitats <br />such as runs, riffles, and eddies. <br /> <br />18 <br />