AquaSearch ova ApS products

Large rainbow trout of 3,5 kg and more, with well pigmented flesh and attractive silvery exterior has become an ever more popular alternative or supplement to the Atlantic salmon and other salmonids in sea farming.

Large rainbow trout of 3,5 kg and more, with unmatched growth potential well pigmented flesh and attractive silvery exterior has become an ever more popular alternative or supplement to the Atlantic salmon and other salmonids in sea farming. In addition to the positive perception of the saltwater reared rainbow trout (steelhead) in the marked, the general characteristics of the rainbow trout gives this species a competitive edge under saltwater conditions and freshwater conditions alike. AquaSearch CROSS+, has been developed for the production of large rainbow trout in both seawater (steelhead trout) and freshwater, but will also be a significant asset to other types of trout production, where unmatched growth rate is important.

Large rainbow trout of 1,0 – 3,5 kg, with well pigmented flesh and attractive exterior has become an ever more popular alternative or supplement to other salmonids. In addition to the positive perception of the rainbow trout in the marked, the general characteristics (robustness, temperature tolerance, intensive flesh colour, growth rate etc.) of the rainbow trout gives this species a competitive edge compared to other salmonids. AquaSearch LATE, has been developed mainly for the production of large well pigmented rainbow trout in freshwater, where the risk of second winter maturation is better reduced to a minimum, and significant seasonal fluctuations in temperature and oxygen saturation is disqualifying triploid fish.

“Pan size” or portion size 250 g to 450 g unpigmented rainbow trout were the original retail product of the trout culture industry. This lean, healthy, versatile, and delicious product has never gone out of fashion, and it continuous to be the most popular trout production in numbers of units as well as tonnes of production. Average size, production cycle and seasonal availability has however changed somewhat since the early days of the industry. The preferred market size for filleting, smoking and whole gutted fish alike, seem to be the larger sizes, closer to 450 g. This size is reached in only 7 – 14 months from first feeding (pending the temperature profile of the farm), with a steady year-round supply of the market, thanks to careful production planning, infrastructure investments and year-round availability of eggs.

Brown trout (S. trutta) is the indigenous commercial and recreational species of European rivers, streams, and lakes, and still the preferred traditional trout of many restaurants. Like most salmonid, the brown trout is anadrome, and can be produced in a freshwater form as well as a lake and saltwater form, each with distinct phenotypic characteristics. In addition to this the general phenotype of the brown trout has a very large biological variation ranging from copper coloured with large red spots to a more silvery phenotype with tiny black dots, and anything in between. The brown trout has a lower optimal temperature range than the rainbow trout, with a less aggressive feeding behaviour and somewhat longer production cycle should be anticipated.

Very large rainbow trout above 5 kg up to 8 kg is a highly valued product in several markets. Genetics, local temperature profile and environmental conditions in general does however not always allow production of this size fish in time to avoid the risk of maturation. The solution is triploidization of the chromosomes, efficiently sterilising the fish and eliminating the risk of maturation.

A full scale family breeding programme including important traits like growth potential and feed conversion rate on all generations and breeding lines, continues to be the cornerstones in AquaSearch breeding programme. In combination with other breeding parameters and breeding tools, this means large genetic progress in every generation.

Niche production for the market of organic products, has become increasingly lucrative for individual fish farmers in certain countries, and AquaSearch ova is offering mixed sex eggs for this production. The strain of origin is identical with AquaSearch FRESH and similar performance and characteristics except for the male part of the population requiring close monitoring of any sign of maturation to avoid losses on that account.

Genetic marker assisted selection is the current “state of the art” technology in rainbow trout breeding. The technique is based on identifying well-defined genome sequences (Quality Trait Loci / QTL’s) in the proximity of the actual gene coding for specific traits. Whenever the particular trait is desired in the offspring, parent fish are selected based on positive findings of the QTL. Since parent fish can be either homozygotic or heterogenic / QTL positive on both or just one chromosome allele, and the QTL requirement can be related to one or both parent fish, intensity of selection differ accordingly. AquaSearch has adapted genetic marker assisted selection in our general breeding programmes and the genetic propagation of most current breeding lines. Hence several important traits are in the process of being fixed in future generations. Please see datasheets on individual breeding lines for details.

AquaSearch GOLD is a colour variant of the conventional rainbow trout phenotype characterised by orange to golden skin colour and clear reddish horizontal line on the side. This remarkable colour variant is well perceived in all sizes in the whole fish market and recreational fishing industry, where the impressive appearance adds to the experience.