Background

The original San Marcos National Fish Hatchery, the first warmwater hatchery west of the Mississippi River, began operations around 1900 and was located near the headwaters of the San Marcos River. During the 1960's, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service donated the aging hatchery to Southwest Texas State University which, in turn, donated 116 acres south of the city of San Marcos to the Service for the development of a new National Fish Hatchery and Cultural Development Center. The Center, located at the intersection of Interstate Highway 35 and McCarty Lane, was dedicated in 1976 and the name was changed in 1983 to the National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center.

Historically, the Center developed and demonstrated practical techniques for fish propagation, management, and monitoring; formulated solutions to hatchery and management problems; produced fishes to meet high priority needs; and developed strategies for monitoring, protecting, and managing high priority aquatic species, with emphasis on threatened, endangered, and inter-jurisdictional species.

Objectives/Emphasis

Collecting, maintaining, and propagating Texas wild rice, salamanders, and fishes as outlined in the Service’s San Marcos/Comal/Edwards Aquifer rare, threatened, and endangered species contingency planConducting research on life history, ecological requirements, genetics, and culture of Edwards Aquifer organismsConducting research on restocking refugium speciesCollecting biological information on the region's aquatic biological resourcesTroubleshooting problems at other hatcheries

Training hatchery personnel

Station Mission

The primary mission of the Center is to provide refugia for Texas wild rice, Texas blind salamanders, San Marcos salamanders, fountain darters, and, if found, San Marcos gambusia. Culture-related activities for these species are inherent to this mission. Major consideration is placed on assessment of biological issues related to the Edwards Aquifer and San Marcos and Comal springs. The Center also provides genetically diverse largemouth bass broodstock to several national fish hatcheries.

Peer Reviewed Publications

Fries, J.N., and P. Power. 1999. Occurrence of an aquatic lepidopteran (Parapoynx obsculralis, Pyralidae) on cultured Texas wildrice (Zizania texana, Poaceae). Southwestern Naturalist, 44(2):213-214.Bonner, T. H., T. M. Brandt, J. N. Fries, and B. G. Whiteside. 1999. The effects of temperature on egg production and early life stages of the fountain darter. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 127:971-978.Anderson, K. A., P. M. Rosenblum, B. G. Whiteside, R. W. Standage, and T. M. Brandt. 1998. Controlled spawning of longnose darters. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 60:137-145.Power, P. 1997. Moisture, seeds and reproductive failure in Texas wildrice (Zizania texana). Southwestern Naturalist, 42(4):435-440.Power, P. 1996. Direct and Indirect effects of floating vegetation mats on Texas wildrice (Zizania texana). Southwestern Naturalist, 41(4):462-464.Power, P. 1996. Growth of Texas wildrice (Zizania texana) in three sediments from the San Marcos River. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 34:21-23.Power, P. 1996. Effects of current velocity and substrate composition on growth of Texas wildrice (Zizania texana). Aquatic Botany, 55:199-204.Power, P. and P. J. Fonteyn. 1995. Effects of oxygen concentration and substrate on seed germination and seedling growth of Zizania texana (Texas wildrice). Southwestern Naturalist, 40(1):1-4.Berkhouse, C. S., and J. N. Fries, 1995. Critical thermal maxima of juvenile and adult San Marcos salamanders. The Southwestern Naturalist 40(4):430-434.Simon, T. P., T. M. Brandt, K. G. Graves, and B. G. Whiteside. 1995. Ontogeny and description of eggs, larvae, and early juveniles of the fountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola. The Southwestern Naturalist 40(2):208-215.Ramos, K. T., L. T. Fries, C. S. Berkhouse, and J. N. Fries. 1994. Apparent sunburn of juvenile paddlefish. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 56:214-216.Whiteside, B. G., and C. Berkhouse. 1992. Some new collection locations for six species. The Texas Journal of Science 44(4):494.Rosenblum, P. M., T. M. Brandt, K. B. Mayes, and P. Hutson. 1994. Annual cycles of growth and reproduction in hatchery-reared Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus, raised on forage or pelleted diets. Journal of Fish Biology 44:1045-1059.Labay, A. A., and T. M. Brandt. 1994. Predation by Cyclops vernalis on Florida largemouth bass and fountain darter larvae. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 56:37-39.Fries, J. N. 1994. SAMCALC: A computer program for fish culturists. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 56:62-62.Barkoh, A., R. O. Anderson, and C. F. Rabeni. 1993. Effects of pond volume manipulation on production of fingerling largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2(3/4):151-170.Anderson, R. O. 1993. Effects of organic and chemical fertilizers and biological control of problem organisms on production of fingerling striped bass, Morone saxatilis. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2(3/4):119-149.Anderson, R. O. 1993. Apparent problems and potential solutions for production of fingerling striped bass, Morone saxatilis. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2(3/4):101-118.Anderson, R. O. 1993. New approaches for management of fertilized hatchery ponds. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2(3/4):1-8.Fries, J. N., C. S. Berkhouse, J. C. Morrow, and G. J. Carmichael. 1993. Evaluation of an aeration system in a loaded fish-hauling tank. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 55:187-190.Brandt, T. M., K. G. Graves, C. S. Berkhouse, T. P. Simon, and B. G. Whiteside. 1993. Laboratory spawning and rearing of the endangered fountain darter. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 55:149-156.Mayes, K. B., P. M. Rosenblum, and T. M. Brandt. 1993. Raceway spawning of florida largemouth bass: effects of acclimation time and hormone treatment on spawning success. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 55:1-8.Carmichael, G. J., R. M. Jones, and J. C. Morrow. 1992. Comparative efficacy of oxygen diffusers in a fish-hauling Tank. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 54:35-40.Springer, T. A., B. R. Murphy, S. Gutreuter, R. O. Anderson, L. E. Miranda, D. C. Jackson, and R. S. Cone. 1990. Properties of relative weight and other condition indices. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 119:1048-1058.Williamson, J. H., and G. J. Carmichael. 1990. An aquacultural evaluation of Florida, northern, and hybrid largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Aquaculture 85:247-257.Graves, K. G., and J. C. Morrow. 1988. Tube sampler for zooplankton. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 50:182-183.Carmichael, G. J., and J. R. Tomasso. 1988. Survey of fish transportation equipment and techniques. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 50:155-159.Carmichael, G. J., J. H. Williamson, C. A. Caldwell-Woodward, and J. R. Tomasso. 1988. Responses of northern, Florida, and hybrid largemouth bass to low temperature and low dissolved oxygen. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 50:225-231.Graves, K. G., and J. C. Morrow. 1988. Method for harvesting large quantities of zooplankton from hatchery ponds. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 50:184-186.Wise, David J., and J. R. Tomasso, and T. M. Brandt. 1988. Ascorbic acid inhibition of nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia in channel catfish. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 50:77-80.Brandt, T. M., and S. A. Flickinger. 1987. Feeding largemouth bass during cool and cold weather. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 49:286-290.Brandt, T. M., R. M. Jones, Jr., and R. J. Anderson. 1987. Evaluation of prepared feeds and attractants for largemouth bass fry. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 49:198-203.Mazik, P. M., T. M. Brandt, and J. R. Tomasso. 1987. Effects of dietary Vitamin C on growth, caudal fin development, and tolerance of aquaculture-related stressors in channel catfish. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 49:13-16.Brandt, T. M. and J. C. Morrow. 1987. Drain modification and crowding net for circular tanks. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 49:73-75.Williamson, J. H. 1987. Evaluation of wire nose tags for marking largemouth bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 49:156-158.Carmichael, G. J., and J. H. Williamson. 1986. Intensive production of Guadalupe bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 48:133-136.Tomasso, J. R., and G. J. Carmichael. 1986. Acute toxicity of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to Guadalupe bass Micropterus treculi. Bulletin of Environmental Contaminants and Toxicology 36:866-870.Williamson, J. H., G. J. Carmichael, M. E. Schmidt, and D. C. Morizot. 1986. New biochemical genetic markers for largemouth bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 115:460-465.Carmichael, G. J., J. H. Williamson, M. E. Schmidt, and D. C. Morizot. 1986. Genetic marker identification in largemouth bass with electrophoresis of low risk tissues. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 115:455-459.Brandt, T. M., R. M. Jones, Jr., and J. R. Koke. 1986. Corneal cloudiness in transported largemouth bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 48:199-201.Williamson, J. H., and G. J. Carmichael. 1986. Differential response to handling stress by Florida, northern, and hybrid largemouth bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 115:756-761.Brandt, T. M., C. W. Deyoe, and P. A. Seib. 1985. Alternate sources of vitamin C for channel catfish. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 47:55-59.Carmichael, G. J. 1984. Long distance truck transport of intensively-reared largemouth bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 46:111-115.Carmichael, G. J., and J. R. Tomasso. 1984. Swim bladder stress syndrome in largemouth bass. Texas Journal Science 35(4):315-321.Carmichael, G. J., J. R. Tomasso, B. A. Simco, and K. B. Davis. 1984. Confinement and water quality induced stress in largemouth bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:767-77.Carmichael, G. J., J. R. Tomasso, B. A. Simco, and K. B. Davis. 1984. Characterization and alleviation of stress associated with hauling largemouth bass. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113:778-785.Carmichael, G. J., G. A. Wedemeyer, J. P. McCraren, and J. L. Millard. 1983. Physiological effects of handling and transportation stress on smallmouth bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 45(2)110-113.Carmichael, G. J., and J. R. Tomasso. 1983. Use of formalin to separate tadpoles from largemouth bass fingerlings after harvest. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 45(2):105-106.Carmichael, G. J. 1983. Scale number differences of stonerollers incubated and reared at different temperatures. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 112:441-444.Williamson, J. H. 1983. Comparing training success of two strains of largemouth bass. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 45:3-7.McCraren, J. P., and R. M. Jones. 1978. Suggested approach to computing and reporting loading densities for fish transport units. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 40(4):169.McCraren, J. P., and T. R. Phillips. 1977. Effects of masoten (Dylox) on plankton in earthen ponds. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeastern Association Game and Fish Commissioners 31:441-448.McCraren, J. P., J. L. Millard, and A. M. Woolven. 1977. Masoten (Dylox) as a control for clam shrimp in hatchery production ponds. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeast Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 31:329-331.Inslee, T. D. 1977. Holding striped bass larvae in cages until swim-up. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 31:422-424.Inslee, T. D. 1977. A preliminary report on the control of pathogenic fungi in earthen culture ponds. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Southeastern Association of Game and Fish Commissioners.McCraren, J. P., M. L. Landolt, G. L. Hoffman, and F. P. Meyer. 1975. Variation in response of channel catfish to Henneguya sp. infections (Protozoa: Myxosporidia). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 11:2-7.Major, R. D., J. P. McCraren, and C. E. Smith. 1975. Histopathological changes in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) experimentally and naturally infected with channel catfish virus disease. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 32(4):563-567.Brauhn, J. L., and J. P. McCraren. 1975. Ovary maturation in channel catfish. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 37(4):209-212.McCraren, J. P., and R. M. Jones. 1974. Restoration of sock filters used to prevent entry of wild fish into ponds. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 36(4):222.Millard, J. L., and J. P. McCraren. 1973. Use of softened water in fish culture. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 5(4):190.McCraren, J. P. and R. M. Jones. 1973. Evaluation of a new spawning mat material. The Progressive Fish-Culturist 35(2):81.

McCraren, J. P. 1972. Channel catfish virus disease (CCV)--A current review. Proceedings of the Annual Conference Western Association of Game and Fish Commissioners 52:528-537.

Technology Center Transfer Series; 1991-1993

Seawell, W. M., M. Ulibarri, and L. Strobeck. 1993. Observations on use of a chemical pond sealant at Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, Texas. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 93-02.Seawell, W. M., M. Ulibarri, and L. Strobeck. 1993. Test of wire placement to exclude cormorants from ponds containing channel catfish over the winter at Uvalde National Fish Hatchery, Texas. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 93-01.Fries, J. N. 1992. SAMCALC: A computer program for fish culturists. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 92-03.Fries, J. N., and C. S. Berkhouse. 1992. The zebra mussel invasion: A summary for Region 2 field stations. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 92-02.Fries, J. N, C. S. Berkhouse, J. C. Morrow, and G. J. Carmichael. 1992. Aeration efficiency and water quality in a 2,650-L (700-gal) fish-hauling tank. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 92-01.

Fries, J. N., A. H. Fanning, and C. A. Lemm. 1991. Length-weight tables for striped bass Morone saxatilis. San Marcos Information Leaflet Number 91-01.

Miscellaneous Publications

Doyle, R., P. Power, and K. Kennedy. In press. Reintroduction Potential of Texas wildrice (Zizania texana) into the San Marcos River, Texas. In. Proceedings of the Wildrice Conference, Carlton, MN.Fries, J.N. in reveiw. Retention of coded wire tags in four locations in juvenile paddlefish. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.Morizot, D. C., S. Harville, B. B. McEntire, and T. M. Brandt. In Press. Genetic variability in the ffountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola (Teleostei: Percidae). Southwestern Naturalist.Mitchell, A.J., M.J. Salmon, D.G. Huffman, A.E. Goodwin, T.M. Brandt. Accepted. "Prevalance and pathogenicity of a heterophyid trematode infecting the gills of an endangered fish Etheostoma fonticola in two central Texas spring-fed rivers". Journal of Aquatic Animal Health.U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000. Exotic Snail and Associated Exotic Parasites Affecting Fishes and Waterfowl in Texas. San Marcos, Texas. 1 page.Power, P. 1996. Reintroduction of Texas wildrice (Zizania texana) in Spring Lake: Some important environmental and biotic considerations. In: Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Second Conference; 1995 September 11-14; Flagstaff, AZ. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-GTR-283. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 328pp.Berkhouse, C. S., and J. N. Fries, 1995. The critical thermal maximum of San Marcos salamanders. National Biological Service Information Bulletin No. 46.

Power, P. 1995. Growth response by Zizania texana (Texas wildrice) under three current regimes and two sediments in Spring Lake, Hays Co., Texas. In: Proceedings of the 24^th Water for Texas Conference: Research Leads the Way. Texas Water Resources Institute. Pp1-7.

Berkhouse, C. S., and J. N. Fries. 1994. Advanced fingerling production of largemouth bass on pelleted feed. Project Report.Fries, J. N. 1992. The zebra mussel invasion: A Texas connection? Annual Proceedings of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society 15:14-25.Anderson, R. O. , W. M. Seawell, J. N. Fries, and K. L. Davenport. 1989. Production of phase-1 striped bass in ponds filled before and filled slowly after stocking. Project Report.Anderson, R. O., J. N. Fries, W. M. Seawell, J. J. Maxwell, and T. A. Mayeux. 1989. Production of striped bass in aerated and conventionally managed ponds. Project Report.Anderson, R. O., W. M. Seawell, J. N. Fries, L. D. Wright, M. Lake, G. L. Looney, J. S. Hawkinson, and P. Keys. 1989. Relationships between age stocked, swim-bladder inflation and survival of phase-1 striped bass; management and production at McKinney Lake and Warm Springs National Fish Hatcheries. Project Report.Anderson, R. O. 1989. Experimental methods to control problem organisms in pond culture. Anal Fin V12 N1.Brandt, T. M. 1987. Feeding largemouth bass. Aquaculture Magazine 13(4):63-64.Carmichael G. J., and J. R. Tomasso. 1985. Guidelines for handling and hauling largemouth bass. Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas Fish Farming Conference, College Station: 26-29.Brandt, T. M. 1979. Use of heat treated full-fat soybeans in channel catfish and golden shiner feeds. Proceedings of the Fish Farming Conference and Annual Convention Catfish Farmers of Texas: 53-61.Williamson, J. H. 1979. Intensive production of advanced largemouth bass fingerlings. Proceedings of the Fish Farming Conference and Annual Convention of the Catfish Farmers of Texas: 1-20.Williamson, J. H. 1979. Intensive production of advanced largemouth bass fingerlings: A Review, 30 pp.Inslee, T. D. 1978. The culture of bluegill X green sunfish hybrids. Project Completion Report, 17 pp.McCraren, J. P. 1977. Marking largemouth and smallmouth bass with silver nitrate. Project Completion Report, 5 pp.McCraren, J. P. 1976. Seven forms of parasite Henneguya affect catfish. Commercial Fish Farming, 2(5):40-41.McCraren, J. P. 1975. Field techniques for biologists investigating fish kills. Texas A&M Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 16 pp.McCraren, J. P. 1975. Feeding young bass. Farm Pond Harvest 9(3):10-12.Inslee, T. D. 1975. Increased production of smallmouth bass fry. Pages 357-361 in H. Clepper, editor. Black Bass Biology and Management. Sport Fishing Institute, Washington, D.C.McCraren, J. P. 1973. The channel catfish virus. Farm Pond Harvest 7(1):20-21.McCraren, J. P. 1973. Iodophor controls microorganisms on catfish eggs. Fish Health News 2(4):1.McCraren, J. P. 1973. Tumor-like growths in channel catfish. FAO Aquaculture Bulletin 5(3/4):16.McCraren, J. P. 1973. Goldfish as forage of catfish broodstock. FAO Aquaculture Bulletin 5(3/4):5-6.

McCraren, J. P. 1969. Some chronic effects of Hydrothol-191 on redear sunfish in two diverse aquatic environments. Weed Science Society of America

Recent Activities

Since 1996, the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center has devoted nearly all its resources to refugium-related work for species listed in the San Marcos/Comal/Edwards Aquifer Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species Contingency Plan. Center staff provided technical assistance in the development of this Contingency Plan and continue to refine it. Center staff also collect genetically diverse organisms from the wild and maintain them in refugium with the following target numbers: 950 fountain darters, 160 San Marcos salamanders, 160 Texas blind salamanders, and 160 Comal Springs salamanders, 88 Texas wild rice plants, and an unspecified number of Comal Springs riffle beetles.Offspring from refugium organisms have been used in projects on toxicity (fountain darter, Comal Springs salamander), gas saturation (fountain darter), parasite/fish relations (fountain darter), restoration (Texas wild rice), seed banks (Texas wild rice), and backup refugium (Texas wild rice). Adults have been used for studies on genetics (fountain darter, San Marcos salamander, Texas wild rice), reproduction (fountain darter, San Marcos salamander), temperature effects (fountain darter, San Marcos salamander), food habits (fountain darter), and flow preference (San Marcos salamander).

Other work includes: development of procedure manuals for culture of the species in refugia, developing specifications for a new salamander refugium and research building, developing specifications for a new Texas wild rice refugium and research building, fry feeding for an endangered darter surrogate, effects of a parasite on west Texas fishes of concern, development of culture techniques for the Devil’s River minnow (species of concern), development of a new warmwater fish culture short course, and enhancing station habitat for monarch butterfly use.