By Reyna Schedler, Western Colorado TIC Coordinator
Fall is here and will soon be on its way out and Colorado Tu’s Trout in the Classroom tanks are growing and thriving. In 67 bubbling tanks around Colorado, our trout are now swimming their way through their life cycle. Since receiving eggs in mid October and raising the trout through the alevin stage, most of our classroom tanks are at or approaching the small fry stage.
The alevin stage is a critical phase in the trout life cycle, where the newly hatched trout larvae remain attached to their yolk sacs which provide nutrients for growth and development. Once the alevin have absorbed most of their yolk sac and had the time to develop vital organs, they start swimming up to the surface of the water in search of food.The “swim-up” phase marks the transition from the alevin stage to the fry stage. This significant transition indicates the trout’s readiness to feed independently and interact more actively with their environment. It also marks a transition in the tanks as the young trout begin to explore, establish territories, and engage with the other trout in a more dynamic ecosystem.
The increased activity levels can lead to changes in water quality parameters such as ammonia and nitrate levels, necessitating more vigilant monitoring as well as adjustments in feeding schedules. Regular monitoring ensures that water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels remain within safe ranges. This prevents stress and disease for the trout and creates a more conducive environment for their growth. Consistent checks can help identify and address potential issues early, reducing the risk of mass mortalities and ensuring the success of the program. By prioritizing tank health, educators can provide a stable habitat that supports both the trout lifespan as well as the student’s educational experiences.
One of the tools that educators and their students are using to track their classroom’s tank health is a global citizen science platform called CitSci. It allows participants to record observations and measurements of their tank’s environmental parameters, providing the opportunity to engage in meaningful scientific work. Educators and students observe the water clarity, fish size, and fish counts, record the frequency of water changes, and take measurements of a variety of environmental parameters, including temperature, Ammonia, pH, Iron, Copper, Nitrates, Nitrite, and Chlorine. With all of these observations and data in one place, participants, employees, and volunteers of the Trout in the Classroom program can analyze the data throughout the year and over multiple years to gain insight into patterns in tank and fish health and better understand how to raise our trout successfully. This platform provides hands-on learning experiences for students, fostering a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the importance of environmental stewardship. Click here to see our awesome data and results.
A portion of the classrooms participating in TIC are using Seneye and WYZE technology as tools for monitoring water quality in their tanks. These technologies have different features and benefits and, when used in conjunction with regular observation, help educators, students, and community members gather information about the wellbeing of their trout and tank environment. Seneye telemetry offers multi-parameter monitoring, while WYZE cams mounted on the tank can send video updates and can even be connected to live streams so that friends, family, and community members can check in on the trout.
These two technologies can aid in the success of our tanks, especially during school breaks when the most die-offs happen due to lack of everyday observations. While they are helpful tools, the most important tool for success is human participation and observation. Through vigilant tank monitoring and community-driven efforts, educators can create a supportive habitat that fosters the growth and development of trout, also enhancing the educational experience for students. These direct contributions allow us all a deeper understanding of aquatic ecosystems and inspire us to continue participating in environmental stewardship.
