Live Eggs Resource

Where to Start with Trout Eggs?

Here are a couple questions to consider:

• What temperature of water do I have?
• What is my source of water?
• What state am I importing into?
• How will I hatch these eggs?

What temperature of water do I have?

You may experience certain species are hardier than what these ranges show. However, a brook and rainbow we find are hardier on the colder side and a brown and tiger trout will be hardier on the warmer water side.

What is my source of water? and Why is this important?

You are purchasing eggs that are days from hatch. As an egg, they need a clean environment and do not do well with debris, fungus or dead eggs.

We use a 60 mL bulb with a clear pipette to clean out any foreign object from their growing areas to prevent harm to the viable egg.

How to hatch these eggs?

Our favorite method is an upwelling incubator. Eggs grow well in a dark environment with plenty of uniform flow. You can find incubators online such as the Mcdonalds Hatching Jar. We build our own system suited to our preferences for growing trout eggs. As the fish egg grows they require more oxygen, upwelling incubators let you adjust the flow better to the eggs and prevent fungus and debris build up on the eggs. They are easy to clean and maintain. The fish can hatch inside the incubator (fast flow must be ensured to prevent deformity) and spill directly into a trough as they hatch. We recommend having a clear PVC Tubing siphon on hand as well if using this method.

Other methods we have used include:

• Hatching trays in Vertical incubators
  • Pro:
    • Easy picking while eggs are in the water.
    • Can do multiple species in one incubator should you choose.
  • Con:
    • Not great for recirculating systems as debris and fungus thrive on the trays.
    • Eggs do not rotate so must manually be moved.
    • We find trays are not completely sealed so a few eggs can move around from tray to tray.
• Hatching Trays set in a trough
  • Similar to a produce drying tray but with pegs to sit higher in the water so water can flow on all sides of the egg.
  • This is an okay method for hatching eggs. however, it can be subject to non-uniform water flow for eggs. (Especially near the borders of the tray.)
  • We do not recommend layering the eggs in these trays.
• Vibert box
  • For more information see: https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Conservation/Projects-Programs/Whitlock-Vibert-Box
  • These are great, low-maintenance ways to place eggs in a pond for future eggs.
  • There is a lower survival rate of these eggs to adulthood as they are subject to additional risks early on at vulnerable growing stages.
  • We would recommend purchasing higher quantities than needed to ensure a better swim-up number.
    • Or making additional changes to the pond to help prevent predation, ensure constant nourishment and ensuring better growing conditions.

Permitting

Each state has their own aquatic regulations. Not all state require permits and/or regulations frequently change.  We recommend contacting your local governing office to determine what may be required from your facility. Here is a link to start your permitting process:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado-We have a statewide permit for approved locations- contact CPW to see if your pond is approved under our permit. 
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine– Permit application
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina-We are an approved vendor for approved locations in 2024- contact aquaculturepermitting@dnr.sc.gov to confirm purchase.
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Recent Health Certifications-Additional years available upon request.

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018

Once you have your permit or confirmation that no permit is needed, feel free to email it to us at: fishcstf@msn.com.

What is the shipping process like?

We ship overnight via UPS Next Day Air Service. We have used multiple companies and found the best success with them. They are packaged in an insulated card board box. We can ship Monday- Thursday to arrive the following day. Upon receiving the eggs, they will be in the 38F Temperature range. They often needed to be acclimated to your temperature. If you are treating your eggs upon arrival this is the time to do so as well. A common chemical treatment is called Ovadine. This helps aid in biosecurity plans in many facilities. The eggs are then ready to be placed in their final water destination.

How do we count the trout eggs?

We use the Von Bayer Method to determine how many eggs are in each oz. We then measure the total oz and multiply the numbers together. Each species has different egg sizes.  Older fish have larger eggs. You may receive 5,000 eggs of multiple species and volume may greatly differ for example between a brook trout and a brown trout, which at times could be 1/2 the size of a brown trout.

Ensuring success of your hatched trout eggs

If you are rearing your fish in a trough, there are a few things that can help your fish grow better. Alevins, recently hatched fish that still have their egg attached, will not need to eat until they “swim up.” They are being nourished by their egg. During this time they should be kept in a clean environment. You may need to take pipette/siphon to the floor of their trough to remove hatched egg shells, dead or debris. This should be done frequently and at a minimum daily. The first week is the most critical in care to ensuring a good and clean environment for growth.