The effects of acute hypoxia and hypercapnia on oxygen consumption of the freshwater European eel

• Published in: Journal of Fish Biology
• Main Authors: Cruz-Neto, A. P., Steffensen, J. F.
• Other Authors: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1997
• Subjects: Anguilla anguilla; aquaculture; European freshwater eel; hypercapnia; hypoxia; oxygen consumption
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/65077; https://doi.org/10.1006/jfbi.1996.0337

When exposed to hypoxia, eels Anguilla anguilla were able to regulate and maintain VO2 down to a water oxygen tension (PWO2) of about 25 mmHg, a value far below those reported in other studies. When exposed to hypercapnia, eels showed a depression in VO2 as water carbon dioxide tension (PWCO2) increased. Faced with combined hypoxia-hypercapnia, eels showed an increase in their sensitivity to hypoxia, and the critical oxygen tension increased to 40-45 mmHg. The possible mechanisms underlying these responses were discussed, and the implications of such findings for extensive culture of eels were highlighted.