Factors influencing routine oxygen consumption in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus

• Published in: Journal of Applied Ichthyology
• Main Author: Waller, Uwe
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1992
• Subjects: Scophthalmus maximus; Turbot
• Online Access: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/42204/; https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/42204/1/Waller-1992-Journal_of_Applied_Ichthyology.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0426.1992.tb00668.x

Routine oxygen consumption of turbot, Scophthalmus maximus, was determined in relation to temperature, salinity, body wet weight, and time of day. The highest routine oxygen consumption rates measured roughly followed a arabolic curve over the temperature range tested (8 to 24°C). The lowest rates showed a more linear refationship over the same temperature range. It is argued that lowest rates correspond to the standard oxygen consumption. Between 16 and 19°C, routine oxygen consumption reached a maximum. It is suggested that these temperatures correspond to the preferred ternerature of the species and are within the range of optimum temperature for growth of specimens weigkng about 100 g. Salinity effect on oxygen consumption rates was studied in five groups acclimated over 4 weeks to 8, 15, 22, 29, and 35%. salinity. Routine oxygen consumption rates were lowest at 8% salinity with no significant differences in higher acclimation salinities. Routine respiration of turbots showed conspicuous daily fluctuations. During spring, summer, and autumn, oxygen Consumption was higher during morning hours and at night. In winter, higher rates were measured only once (during morning and early afternoon). The relationship between routine oxygen consumption and body weight of turbots followed an exponential function with a slope of 0.7, which was lower compared to the slope of 0.8 usually given for roundfish-species.