HYBRID TROUT

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1927, Page 4

HYBRID TROUT

.FERTILE OVA OBTAINED. CTIRISTCHFRCH, July 21. An interesting achievement in pisciculture. the breeding of a fertile hybrid trout, was reported to tile North Casterbury Aeelimatisation Society last night bv the curator (Mr T). Hope) Tlio .curator’s report said : “For several years past I have attempted to hybridise rainbow and brown trout, hut with little success: hut during July. 1D25. I succeeded in hatching about 120 fry from eggs from the rain- • k>w female using brown male. Of these try 100 lived and are now two years old and very well grown, the largest averaging -IJlbs. This cross has reverted more to the rainbow type than the brown in shape and colouration. Hybrids are usually .sterile n.s with the 1 ontinalis-Brown hybrid, hut this cross has proved fertile, as on June 27th I obtained 200 ova from them as an experiment. These have now eyed and will hatch in due course, thus establishing a crossbred breed of fish which mac. ot may not. lie an improvement on existing varieties.” -Mr R. Ashworth said that the report was a most gratifying one indeed. It was a matter of great credit to Mr Hope that he had achieved something which had never been done in the world - before, a . • - The chairman (Mr H. Herbert Smith! asked whetherthe experiment had ever been previously carried nut. Mr Hope said that he was not aware of its ever having been attempted. The society passed a resolution congratulating the curator on the result of his experiment. It was decided to send the report to the Acclimisation Societies througout Now Zealand.