Metabolic performance and critical swimming speed in King George whiting

A fish’s activities are dependent on their metabolic performance and ability to move, which are influenced by temperature. Rising ocean temperature may impact thermally sensitive species. Thermally driven changes in swimming performance and aerobic metabolism (Q10 and aerobic scope of activity, ASc) of adult King George whiting Sillaginodes punctatus were investigated at two temperatures representing extremes encountered by this temperate species. Fish were initially swum in a swim chamber as water velocity was increased and their critical swimming speed (Ucrit) was calculated. Fish were transferred into a resting chamber and the maximum metabolic rate (MMR) was calculated. Thereafter, they were allowed to recover in the chamber overnight and their standard metabolic rate (SMR) was measured. At higher temperatures, fish consumed more oxygen, recovered quicker, and had a higher aerobic scope of

activity compared to fish at the lower temperature. Increased swimming speed and improved

metabolic performance of fish at the higher temperature may mean that under increasing

temperatures due to climate change, fish can adapt and survive.

More details can be found at:

Mazloumi, Johansen, Doubleday and Gillanders (2017) Q10 measures of metabolic performance and critical swimming speed in King George whiting Sillaginodes punctatus. Journal of Fish Biology doi:10.1111/jfb.13273