Effect of temperature on swimming performance of sea bass juveniles

G. Koumoundouros, D.G. Sfakianakis, P. Divanach, M. Kentouri-2002

Journal of Fish Biology, 60(4): 923-932

Abstract:

At four temperatures (T=15, 20, 25 and 28°C) swimming performance of Dicentrarchus labrax was significantly correlated with total length (23-43mm L_T); r²=0·623-0·829). The relative critical swimming speed (RU_crit=U_critL-1T), where U_crit is the critical swimming speed, was constant throughout the L_T range studied. The significant effect of temperature on the relative critical swimming speed was described binomially: RU_crit=-0·0323 T²+1·578 T-10·588 (r²=1). The estimated maximum RU_crit (8·69L_T s^-1) was achieved at 24·4°C, and the 90% performance level was estimated between 19·3 and 29·6°C.

(Biology Department, University of Crete, P.O. Box 1470, 71110, Iraklio, Crete, Greece, Tel.: +3081 394062; fax: +3081 394408; email: koumound@imbc.gr)

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