1 produced triploid white crappies Pomoxis annularis in the laboratory
by subjecting stripped eggs to 5-degrees-C for 90 min. This treatment
produced triploids on three out of seven attempts, yielding 92%, 93%,
and 100% triploids. I compared several hematological characteristics
of adult triploid and diploid white crappies. Triploids had significan
tly lower concentrations of circulating red blood cells and hemoglobin
than diploids but their red blood cells had significantly greater vol
umes and hemoglobin contents. Diploids had significantly higher gonado
somatic indices. Diploids and triploids did not differ significantly i
n heart weight as a percentage of body weight or in standard metabolic
rate, active metabolic rate, or critical swimming speeds. Despite the
hematological differences, nonreproductive triploid white crappie adu
lts appear to be as fit for survival as normal diploid fish.