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Hatcheries’ metal can disrupt steelhead magnetic sense

Young trout raised in distorted field flunk first test of which direction to swim

DISORIENTED  In a hatchery, young steelhead trout, each about 20 centimeters long, may experience such odd magnetic fields that they fail to properly calibrate their inherited magnetic sense. 

Emily Putman

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Young steelhead trout don’t get off to a good start as navigators if they’re reared in hatchery tanks where iron pipes cause weirdness in magnetic fields.