Data from: From spawn to survival: Decoding the hydraulic conditions for successful silver carp egg incubation

Natural rivers exhibit complex and dynamic flow conditions that
significantly impact the survival and development of semi-buoyant fish
eggs. This study investigated the effects of flow velocities and
turbulence on the semi-buoyant fish eggs in running water, using silver
carp eggs as a representative species. Experiments conducted in a
race-track flume revealed that moderate flow conditions (0.5 m/s) yielded
the highest hatching rates, while excessive velocities (1.1 m/s) led to
complete mortality at the blastula stage. Mild turbulence benefited egg
incubation, but extreme turbulence reduced hatching rates and increased
larval deformation. These findings demonstrate a clear relationship
between hydraulic conditions and successful egg development, suggesting
that optimal spawning and hatching conditions are differ. The results
provide a foundation for evaluating suitable hydraulic conditions for
semi-buoyant fish egg hatching in river habitats and offer insights into
the potential impacts of hydraulic structures on fish populations. This
research contributes to river ecosystem management, conservation of
semi-buoyant fish species, and the design of fish-friendly hydraulic
structures.