Several treatment options have been developed to minimize the spread of zebra mussel Dreissena polymorphaveligers (larvae) during fish transportation. However, the effect of these treatments on the survival of newly-fertilized salmonid eggs has not been evaluated. This study examined the survival of water-hardened landlocked fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha eggs after one of four different treatments: 1) Control (no chemicals), 2) 100 mg/L formalin for two hours, 3) 750 mg/L of potassium chloride for one hour followed by 20 mg/L formalin for two hours, and 4) 750 mg/L of potassium chloride for one hour followed by 20 mg/L formalin for three hours. The 100 mg/L formalin treatment produced complete egg mortality. Survival to hatch was not significantly different among the other three treatments. Based on these results, the use of 750 mg/L potassium chloride for one hour followed by 20 mg/L formalin for three hours is recommended when moving Chinook salmon eggs from waters potentially infested with zebra mussels to hatcheries for incubation.
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