Growth and Development of the Salmonidcz. 165 



The 8almo fario ausonii, or large brown 

 trout, grows to about six inches in length in 

 12 months, and specimens of seven or eight 

 inches long may be produced in that time by 

 high feeding. In two years they will measure 

 about 14 inches, and weigh 1 lb. ; in three 

 years, about 3 to 4 lbs. ; in four years, about 

 4 to 5 lbs. ; and in five years they will weigh 

 6 or 7 lbs. ; and I have caught two of that 

 age, at Ercildoune, which weighed 11 lbs. 

 each. Their growth is influenced greatly by 

 the space they have to roam over, and the 

 quantity of food which is available. Heat 

 stimulates their growth, and warm water will 

 produce larger fish than cold. A large pond 

 will also produce larger fish than a small 

 one. Fish artificially fed, and well cared for, 

 will grow much faster than those that have 

 to seek their food in the natural way. The 

 largest trout that there is any record of 

 having been caught in Victoria is one of about 

 15 J lbs., which came out of Lake Learmonth ; 

 but in Tasmania brown trout of over 20 lbs. 

 have been taken. 



Salmon and trout that are well fed will 

 usually spawn at about the age of 22 months ; 



