students hatching fish eggs
The eggs in the aquarium began hatching the morning of Thursday, March 25. The first "newborn" was seen at about 7:10 a.m. and many more followed quickly thereafter. Based on the cumulative temperature units, the eggs were predicted to hatch either Wednesday, March 24, 2004 or Thursday, March 25, 2004. The "sac fry" as the newborns are called will feed on the yolk sac that is attached for about two weeks.
Students monitor the tank daily checking things such as the temperature, pH level, nitrate level, and ammonia level and for the next developmental stage - "buttoning up" when the fish are ready to be fed. The fish will need to be fed several times a day.
A big THANK YOU to Terry and Diana Holubetz for the information about the Hatchery in the Classroom Project, sponsored by the Ahsahka Fish Hatchery.