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 NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR 
 FISH CULTURISTS ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 From BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES, Volume XXVIII, 1908 
 
 Prorecdings of the Fourth International Fishery Congress : : Washington, igo8 
 
 W \SHINGTON 
 
 : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
 
Glass ^Jii^^ 
 Book 
 
NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR 
 FISH CULTURISTS ^ ^ ^ j^ 
 
 From BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES, Volume XXVIII, 1908 
 
 Ppviredhtgs of the Fourth International Fishery Congress : : ]Vashi>tgton, ipo8 
 
 WASHINGTON :::::: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
 
BUREAU OF FISHERIES DOCUMENT NO. 700 
 Issued April, 1910 
 
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 NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR FISH CULTURISTS 
 
 By Alfred E. Fuller 
 
 U. S. Fisheries Station, Northville, Mich. 
 
 Models presented before the Fourth International Fishery Congress 
 held at Washington. U. S. A., September 22 to 26, 1908 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 1. Artificial bass nest. 993 
 
 2. Bass fry retaining screen and trap 994 
 
 3. Collecting tub 995 
 
 4. Fish retainer 996 
 
 5. Fish attendant's outfit 996 
 
 6. Seine for collecting fingerling bass 997 
 
 7. Shipping case for fish eggs 998 
 
 992 
 
NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR FISH CULTURISTS. 
 
 By ALFRED E. FULLER, 
 U. S. Fisheries Station, Northiille, Mich. 
 
 ARTIFICIAL BASS NEST. 
 [Exhibit I. Fig, i, pi. civ.] 
 
 This form of bass nest, like others in use, consists primarily of a container 
 for the gravel, constituting the nest proper, and a shield to furnish the 
 seclusion recjuired by the nesting fish. Both container and shield, however, 
 are of distinctive design, and the shield, which is detachable, is provided with 
 a waterproof record holder and indicator projecting above the water. 
 
 The nest proper is an iron hoop 2 feet in diameter, made of ij^-inch by 
 j/g-inch band iron. This hoop, placed in the pond and filled with gravel, holds 
 the latter within its circumference without the necessity of any bottom and 
 may be left in position permanently. Riveted at each of 3 quartering points 
 on the outside of the hoop is an iron socket or slot, of size to accommodate a 
 standard 1 inch wide and }i inch thick. By means of these slots the removable 
 shield is adjusted to the hoop. 
 
 The shield, 2 feet high and semicircular to fit one side of the hoop, is made 
 of ordinary galvanized sheet iron riveted to three iron standards. The standards, 
 which are i inch wide by ^^s inch thick, extend 2 inches below the sheet of iron 
 they support, and are pointed at the lower end for ready adjustment to the 
 sockets in the hoop. The two end standards are 26 inches in height and flush 
 with the top edge of the shield. The middle standard is higher, projecting above 
 the shield to hold the indicator and record case. The height of the projection is 
 determined by the depth of the w'ater in which the nest is used, the indicator to 
 be always visible above the surface of the pond. The shield and container are 
 coated with paint. 
 
 The record holder consists of a waterproof case to contain cards or small 
 sheets of paper and has a number and an indicator on its face. The case is 
 made of 2 rectangular pieces of thin sheet metal, preferably copper, 2^ by 
 5 inches, with rolled edges to permit one side of the case to slide upon the 
 other. Into the back are slipped the cards or sheets of paper containing detailed 
 
 993 
 
994 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
 
 records of the nest. The nest number is stamped or painted on the upper half 
 of the face of the case; in the lower half is fixed a metal pointer, in a dial upon 
 which appear symbols which will indicate to the fish culturist whether the nest 
 is "cleaned up" or contains eggs or fry. A metal pocket is soldered upon the 
 back of the case, by means of which to fit it to the tall standard of the shield. 
 The especial advantages of this nest are as follows : 
 
 1 . The shield can be removed to permit placing the retaining screen around 
 the nest without roiling the water or disturbing the nest proper, thereby avoiding 
 injury to the fry by the rolling of the gravel. 
 
 2. The nest proper, remaining permanently in the pond, is always in readi- 
 ness for use without the expenditure of labor to renew each year, and when once 
 installed requires only attaching of the shield, which can be done in the space of 
 a moment. 
 
 3. The nest, being of heavy metal, will remain stationary in the pond 
 without being weighted down to prevent floating. 
 
 4. A separate and complete record of each nest can be kept as its product 
 advances to different stages, while its condition can be determined from the shore 
 at a glance without disturbing the fish by entering the water or going to the nest 
 in a boat. 
 
 5. Nest and shield are easily stored. Fifty of the shields require a space 
 but 2 feet wide, 2 feet high, and 26 inches long. 
 
 BASS FRY RETAINING SCREEN AND TRAP. 
 
 [Exhibit 2. Fig. 2, pi. CIV.] 
 
 The retaining screen and trap exhibited is intended for use in connection 
 with the bass nest just described. It combines with the ordinary cylindrical 
 retainer a device by means of which the fry are entrapped and may be readily 
 lifted from the nest. Certain improvements in the construction of the retainer 
 are also important features. 
 
 The retaining screen is made of a piece of 14-mesh galvanized wire cloth 
 3 feet in width, stretched around a frame consisting of two iron hoops and 4 iron 
 standards. The hoops are made oi yi by i inch iron bands and are 3 feet in 
 diameter; the standards are 3 feet high. The joinings are everywhere made with 
 stove bolts, which also secure the wire cloth to the frame. At the seam the 
 wire cloth is lapped directly over one standard and an extra upright 3 ' 2 feet long 
 is bolted over the lap. The circular inclosure thus built is readily " knockdown " 
 for storage purposes. Upon the projecting upright is fitted the record holder, 
 which was attached to the nest shield described in exhibit i and is now to be 
 transferred to carry on the record for the fry. All metallic parts are painted. 
 
 The trap is within the retainer. It consists of a hoop fitted over the bottom 
 hoop of the retainer and securing about its circumference a piece of bobbinet 
 
NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR FISH CULTURISTS. 995 
 
 SO shaped and seamed as to form a blunt cone about 2 feet high when held in 
 place within the wire-cloth screen. The top of this cone is open, the bobbinet 
 here fitted and secured to an iron ring 4 inches in diameter. To hold the cone 
 in position, two cords attached on opposite sides of the opening are carried to 
 the upper rim of the retainer and there fastened by means of bent-wire hooks 
 at the ends of the cords. 
 
 As the bass fry ascend from the nest their natural tendency is to follow 
 the inside of the cone upward to the 4-inch opening, through which they pass 
 to the upper section of the retaining screen. After they have all ascended, 
 this opening is closed with a tight-fitting cap made of a circular piece of bobbinet 
 held in at the edge by an elastic gathering string. The fish are then in cap- 
 tivity. To remove them from the pond, the apparatus is lifted to the surface 
 of the water, the cords holding the cone are released, and the cone telescopes, 
 forming a scaff net, which is then detached from the bottom hoop of the retainer, 
 placed over the collecting tub, and the fish liberated therein. 
 
 The advantages of this combined retaining screen and trap are as follows: 
 
 1 . All the fry that are able to rise from the nest can be captured. 
 
 2. They can be taken from the trap at any time desired without regard to 
 roiliness of the water or low temperature. 
 
 3. The device is useful in the capture of bass fry in inland lakes which 
 have become overstocked and from which it is desirable to transfer the fish to 
 barren waters or waters more accessible to sportsmen 
 
 COLLECTING TUB. 
 [Exhibit 3. Fig. 3, pi. civ.] 
 
 This tub is convenient for use in connection with the trap described in exhibit 
 2. It is constructed of ordinary galvanized iron, is 3 feet in diameter, 14 
 inches deep, and has a 2 -inch flaring rim with outer circumference to fit the 
 hoop of the cone-shaped trap. At each of two opposite points in the side is 
 inserted a piece of perforated tin, 7 by 10 inches, extending to within 4 inches 
 of the bottom. Two handles are attached below the rim on the sides transverse 
 to the perforated inserts, and the tub is painted inside and out. 
 
 When in use the tub is placed in a wood float 4 feet square, which permits it to 
 be easily towed from nest to nest as the collections are made. In emptying the 
 tub its contents are poured out over the solid side rather than the perforated. 
 
 This tub has the advantage of allowing the fish a free circulation of fresh 
 water during the process of collecting, a condition very essential during warm 
 weather. Necessity for changing the water is thus obviated, and handling of 
 the fish, which should always be avoided as much as possible during warm 
 weather, is minimized. 
 
996 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
 
 FISH RETAINER. 
 [Exhibit 4. Fig. 4, pi. cv.] 
 
 This article is a convenient means of temporarily confining fish awaiting 
 shipment. It is made of ordinary galvanized iron, and is in effect a 
 taller and slenderer form of the collecting tub described in exhibit 3, with 
 the addition of a combined cover and bail. It is 10 inches in diameter and 
 20 inches high, with a 2-inch flaring rim and with two perforated strips of 
 tin inserted opposite each other in the sides. The perforated inserts are 6 inches 
 wide by 14 inches in height, reaching from the lower edge of the rim to within 
 4 inches of the bottom of the receptacle. A stiff wire bail, to which the cover 
 is fastened, is attached on the perforated sides, and the receptacle is painted. 
 
 When in use this retainer is set in a wooden float to prevent its sinking. 
 Such floats may be constructed any length, to accommodate any number of 
 retainers, but sections 26 inches wide and 7 feet long, which will accommodate 
 10 retainers, are found to be most convenient. The apparatus is placed in 
 fresh or running water, and the fish to be carried in one transportation can are 
 placed in one retainer. In emptying the retainer its contents should be poured 
 out over the solid sides instead of the perforated, to prevent injury to the fish. 
 
 This device has the advantage of allowing shipments of fish to be prepared in 
 advance of the time of departure, as a free circulation of water is permitted at 
 all times and the fish can be held any reasonable number of days. It obviates 
 extra handling of the fish, which is to be avoided as much as possible, and also 
 enables one man to prepare the shipment without assistance, which is of great 
 convenience for night departures. 
 
 FISH ATTENDANT'S OUTFIT. 
 [Exhibit 5. Fig. 5, pi. cv.] 
 
 This outfit comprises an aerating device and a combination ice pick and 
 net, for use in the transportation of fish. The aerator consists of a cylindrical 
 screen made of perforated zinc or tin, and a perforated funnel-shaped plunger 
 with long handle. The screen is 6l4 inches in diameter, 21 inches high, with a 
 2-inch slightly flaring collar at the top, has a perforated bottom, and is fitted 
 with a wire bail. Two heavy wires, crossing each other at right angles, are 
 soldered 2 inches from the bottom to prevent the plunger from striking the 
 latter. The slender dimensions of the screen permit it to be inserted into the 
 ordinary transportation can. 
 
 The plunger may be made of an ordinary tin funnel of 6 inches mouth 
 diameter, a shallow tin pan of the same diameter, and a ■^'-inch rod bent to 
 form a loop at one end. The funnel is perforated with nail holes, as is also the 
 bottom of the pan, and the latter, inverted, is soldered over the mouth of the 
 
NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR FISH CULTURISTS. 997 
 
 funnel. The rod is inserted into the tube of the funnel, giving the plunger a 
 total length of 18 inches. 
 
 To operate the aerator, the plunger is churned up and down in the screen. 
 The screen filled with ice may be used also in cooling the water in which the 
 fish are held. 
 
 Both as aerator and cooler this device is especially useful in transporting 
 fry which are the more susceptible to injury in handling, such as shad, pike 
 perch, and whitefish. With these means, moreover, the attendant can give 
 proper attention to a large number of fish in a short space of time and with a 
 minimum amount of labor. 
 
 The combined net and ice pick consists of a semicircular frame of 10 inches 
 long dimension, made of no. 6 wire and covered with soft net of any desired 
 mesh. This is fitted into a wooden handle, the opposite end of which holds a 
 disappearing point 3 inches long, made of X-inch spring steel. 
 
 The net is of use in pouring water from transportation cans in order to 
 replenish with a fresh supply, or for purposes of " doubling up" the contents of 
 two cans, as may be necessary just before delivering from the train. It also 
 takes the place of the siphon and scaff net usually carried by attendants in 
 charge of shipments of fish, and since these and the ice pick are usually carried 
 separately, the combination device reduces the number of articles from 3 to i. 
 
 SEINE FOR COLLECTING FINGERLING BASS. 
 
 [Exhibit 6. Fig. 6, pi. cvi.] 
 
 This seine, made of heavy bobbinet, is rigged upon two handles consisting 
 of bamboo poles 14 feet in length. The web is 16 feet long and 4 feet wide, 
 corked and leaded, and is attached at each end to a 4-foot steel brail y^ inch 
 in diameter. The brails are fastened to the bamboo handles by strap-iron 
 hinges, which allow the brails to break but one way. A heavy cord attached 
 to the lower end of each brail passes through a screw eye in the handle at a 
 point the brail's length distant from the hinge. In operation the seine is 
 projected over the water with the brails extended, the back of the hinges 
 downward. The handles are then given a half turn, allowing the brails to 
 drop at the hinges, beyond the school of fish. The seine falls into the water 
 and as soon as the leads touch the bottom of the pond the cords are tightened. 
 Pulling from the lower end of the brails with the hinges bent, the cords draw 
 upon the bottom of the seine, and it is easily hauled ashore. 
 
 The use of this seine, since it can be operated from shore, avoids the roiling of 
 the water which occurs when the operators wade into the pond, and it makes 
 possible the capture of fish at any desired time without drawing off the water. 
 The seine is of advantage, among other purposes, in thinning out the fish from 
 time to time to avoid exhaustion of the food supply and consequent cannibalism. 
 
998 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
 
 SHIPPING CASE FOR FISH EGGS. 
 [Exhibit 7. Fig. 7, pi. cvi.] 
 
 This case is designed for shipping fish eggs either to foreign countries or 
 points at any distance throughout the United States. It can be constructed of 
 any sound lumber ~i inch thick. The outer case is 2 feet wide, 2 feet high, and 
 3 feet long, with corners halved together to permit of nailing both sides and 
 ends. Its sides are lined with asbestos packing paper, and the bottom with rub- 
 beroid roofing paper. The inner case is made of any light J-^-inch lumber and is 1 9 
 inches high, 20 inches wide, and 32 inches long. The bottom is made of ordinary 
 galvanized iron and has a slope of 2 inches toward the center to a waste pipe. 
 The outside of this inner case is covered with rubberoid roofing paper. 
 
 Cleats in the ends in the bottom of the outer case support the inner one 
 and make an air space below it, at the same time raising it so that it projects 
 I ^4 inches above the upper edge of the outer case. Between the walls of the 
 outer and inner cases is a i-inch air space, and this is closed at the top by means 
 of a strip of lumber 2 inches wide inserted edgewise and flush with the inner 
 wall, making the space airtight. This projection fits into the top of the case 
 when the latter is closed. 
 
 The inside case is divided into five compartments, one at each end and in 
 the middle for ice, the two others for trays, the partitions all flush with the 
 inner case. The ice compartments are 3 inches wide and of the full width 
 and depth of the inner case. The middle compartment is removable. The 
 partitions are made of '<-inch mesh galvanized-wire cloth and are held in place 
 with I -inch cleats nailed upright to the sides of the inner case. These cleats also 
 hold the tray stacks in vertical position, and the space they make allows for air 
 circulation and the dripping of the ice hoppers which are to be placed above. It 
 also allows easy access to the trays and permits of inspecting them at all times 
 without disturbing the ice. 
 
 The case holds 24 trays for eggs, 12 in each compartment. The trays are 
 made of J/2 -inch lumber and are 8 '/2 inches wide, i8'2 inches long, and i inch deep. 
 The bottoms are of fine-mesh wire cloth. Each side of each tray is perforated 
 with five equally spaced K-inch holes to allow air circulation. 
 
 Over each tray stack, resting upon the ends of the vertical cleats, is an 
 ice hopper io>^ inches wide, i8J^ inches long, and 2 inches deep, made of ordi- 
 nary galvanized-iron bottom and sides, with wooden ends. The bottoms of 
 the hoppers are perforated near the sides with l^-inch holes to allow the water 
 to escape. Over the lower end of the waste pipe to prevent the cool air from 
 escaping is a bowl-shaped cap which is always filled with water. 
 
 The top of the case, which is hinged, fits tightly over the rabbet formed by 
 the projecting edge of the inner wall, making an air-tight chest. It is provided 
 
NEW AND IMPROVED DEVICES FOR FISH CULTURISTS. 
 
 999 
 
 with two hasps in front, and is Hned with a single sheet of asbestos, a layer 
 of ^^-inch lumber, and over these a covering of rubberoid roofing. 
 
 The empty case weighs 88 pounds. The space devoted to ice will hold 
 60 poiuids. Allowing 20 pounds for eggs and moss, the whole shipping weight 
 would be 168 pounds. The case is designed to hold about 80,000 steelhead 
 trout eggs, 120,000 lake trout eggs, 250,000 brook trout eggs, or 1,000,000 
 whitefish eggs. 
 
 This case has the advantage of allowing easy access to the eggs for inspec- 
 tion at any point en route. It permits of free circulation of air, thereby pro- 
 ducing an even moisture and even temperature for all of the trays. For local 
 shipments or field work the stacks of small trays, ice hoppers, and central ice 
 compartment may be removed and large trays substituted, making a combi- 
 nation case, and avoiding the necessity for three separate styles, as usually 
 required for different distances. The present case has also the advantage of 
 carrying a maximum number of eggs at a minimum weight. 
 
 Coating the case inside with paraffin wax will prevent odors, or moisture 
 from swelling the box. 
 
 The following tables record a 36-day test given a roughly constructed case 
 of this type, beginning January 29 and ending March 5, 1906. During the 
 first 26 days the case contained 53,000 eyed lake trout eggs. It was not filled, 
 only 10 of the 24 trays being used. Nine of them contained 5,000 eggs each 
 and one had 8,000. 
 
 Record of First 26 Days of Test. 
 
 Test day. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture of 
 room. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture on 
 egg trays. 
 
 Ice used. 
 
 Test day. 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture of 
 
 Tempera- 
 ture on 
 egg trays. 
 
 Ice used. 
 
 
 li 
 
 8; 
 71 
 76 
 70 
 60 
 69 
 74 
 85 
 
 ll 
 11 
 
 34 
 34 
 
 K 
 34H 
 
 35 
 35 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 
 39 
 
 3S'A 
 
 35 
 
 Pounds. 
 80 
 
 15- 
 i6_ 
 17- 
 18. 
 19- 
 
 23- 
 24- 
 25- 
 26. 
 
 
 "F. 
 90 
 84 
 8s 
 90 
 87 
 80 
 81 
 80 
 
 82 
 84 
 85 
 
 "F. 
 SS'A 
 
 It 
 
 36 
 36 
 36 
 36 
 36 
 36 
 
 3SH 
 
 Pounds. 
 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 76 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 
 J J 
 
 12 
 
 48 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 SIS 
 
 
 
 
 
 The eggs were looked over on the seventh day and 44 dead eggs were removed; 
 on the sixteenth day 121 dead eggs were removed; on the twenty-sixth day 168. 
 
 On the sixteenth day the moss placed over the eggs was removed, the water 
 squeezed out, and the moss then replaced. 
 
 The above test was made in the boiler room, and on the ninth dav the case was 
 moved nearer the boiler, which accounts for the rise in outside temperature. 
 
lOOO BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
 
 On the twenty-seventh day the eggs were all removed from the case, the latter 
 thoroughlv cleaned, and the tray containing 8,000 eggs was replaced for a further test 
 of ten davs. During the first five of these days the case was outside in a temperature 
 ranging from 14° to 50° F., the last five it was inside the hatching room at a 
 temperature of 50° F. 
 
 Record of Last 10 Days of Test. 
 
 Test day. 
 
 Air temperature. 
 
 Egg 
 tempera- 
 ture, 
 noon. 
 
 Test day. 
 
 Air temperature. 
 
 Egg 
 tempera- 
 ture, 
 noon. 
 
 Noon. 
 
 Midnight. 
 
 Noon. 
 
 Midnight. 
 
 27 
 
 28_ 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31- 
 
 "F. 
 so 
 35 
 34 
 23 
 30 
 
 °F. 
 43 
 31 
 19 
 14 
 25 
 
 "F. 
 34 
 34 
 34 
 33 
 32 
 
 32 
 
 33 
 
 34 
 
 °F. 
 
 i: 
 
 so 
 so 
 SO 
 
 "F. 
 50 
 SO 
 so 
 
 so 
 SO 
 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 3S 
 36 
 
 These eggs were then removed to Clark hatching troughs and at the end ol one 
 week hatched, producing good strong healthy fry. The fry were held until the sac 
 was nearly absorbed, and then planted. 
 
 The tray containing the 8,000 eggs stood the test for the entire thirty-six days, and 
 at this rate would give the capacity of the case as 192,000 lake trout eggs, thus dem- 
 onstrating that a much larger number of eggs than claimed for it can be safely trans- 
 ported in this case should occasion demand. During the above lo-day test but 20 
 pounds of ice was consumed. 
 
P,ri.. U. S. 15. F., 190S. 
 
 Platk civ 
 
 Fig. 3.— Collecting till., with float, ^Photographt-a from model.) 
 
Rx-i.. r. S. p., F., lOoS. 
 
 Pl.ATK C\' 
 
 I-IG. 4.— Fish retainer, with float, ( fhotosraphecl from model.) 
 
Bn.. U. vS. B. P., 1908. 
 
 Plate CVI. 
 
 Fig. 7.— Shipping case for iish eggs. (Photographed from model, which was not built to scale.) 
 
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