23rd Feb 2021

Neil popped in to check on progress today, and our trout are doing very well.  They aren't feeding much yet, and do you know why they are hiding in the gravel?  Apparently, they sense the change in light as we approach and think we are a hungry predator.  We just want to see if they are hungry!  They aren't really swimming up yet, but when they do they will need to inflate their lungs to gain neutral bouyancy-that means that they will be able to swim around in the water instead of sinking to the bottom.

Class 5 have done some super work on the life cycle of trout.  Here is a selection of their work to show you.

The Life Cycle of a Trout

21st Feb 2021

In between tea and cake duties on Sunday, we popped in to check what was happening in the tank-I couldn't believe my eyes to see how much they had changed in a week!  No longer alevin, we have fully fledged fry.  They are staying well hidden in the gravel, but we managed to film a little activity.  

 

5th Feb 2021

Oh, I'd never make a wildlife photographer, I haven't got the patience, but here you go.  You lucky folk get the edited highlights from yesterdays filming, on location in Class 5!  I hope you enjoy watching-let me know what you think using the comment box below.  If you have any questions for our trout experts in Class 5, add those too.

 

2nd Feb 2021

They've begun to hatch!  Great news, and even better, we should have lots more tomorrow.  I'll see what I can do in the way of a video on Thursday.

Last Wednesday, Neil and Christi from the Ribble Rivers Trust, came to visit Class 5 and brought in some trout eggs which we are going to watch develop and hatch.  The tank had been set up beforehand so that the water could be chilled to right temperature and to allow the number healthy bacteria in the water to increase.  (I wonder why that is important?)

The eggs won't hatch for a while yet, and must be covered up in the dark until they do, but we can take a peep regularly to see what is happening.  One of the important things to look out for is white eggs-this means they have become diseased and must be removed from the tank to keep the others healthy.

Here are 5 Fishy Facts from Class 5

• White eggs must be removed every day
• The water must be kept at 8°C 
• We have put 100 eggs in our tank.  70% should survive, but in a river only 3% would survive (Why?)
• When they hatch, they need two pinches of food a day
• Trout predators are Kingfisher, Duck, Dipper, Pike and Humans (Can you think of any more?)
•