Captive Propagation and Restocking of Yellowcheek Darter in the Little Red River, Arkansas

In July of 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed endangered status for the yellowcheek darter Etheostoma moorei.  We developed propagation and feeding strategies for yellowcheek darter.  Two females and one male were stocked into each tank.  From May 11 – July 10, we observed approximately 17 spawning events, which yielded 512 larvae.  From 1-10 dph, larvae were fed a combination of APR (Artificial Plankton^.Rotifer), Nannocholoropsis paste, and microworms. At 11 dph, saltwater rotifers Brachionus plicatilus and microcysts Artemia nauplii at a rate of 10/ml/day were added to the diet.  At 18 dph Artemia nauplii were added to the diet at a rate of 10/ml/day, and Nannocholoropsis was discontinued.  At 25 dph instar 3 Artemia metanauplii were added to the diet, while artificial plankton, microworms, and saltwater rotifers were discontinued.  At 32 dph, instar 5 Artemia metanauplii and fragments of chopped black worms were added to the diet.  Microcysts Artemia nauplii were discontinued.  Juveniles began exhibiting benthic behavior at 20 dph. We estimate survival to 45 dph to be 50%. Growth rates to 70 dph averaged (SD) 0.19 (0.04) mm/d.  Juvenile yellowcheek were marked dorsally with VIE tags.  They are being stocked into tributaries of the Little Red River where yellowcheek darter have been functionally extirpated.