Effects of Swimming Activity and Food Intake on the Respiration of Young-of-the-Year White Bass, Morone chrysops

Abstract

Abstract Rates of oxygen consumption were determined for: 1) single young-of-the-year white bass, Morone chrysops (Rafinesque), forced to swim in a rotating annular respirometer, and 2) groups of young-of-the-year fish fed meals of live zooplankton. Sustained swimming activity and maximum metabolic rates generally occurred at a rotation velocity of 15 rpm. The decline in oxygen consumption with time and increased velocities in six experiments suggested decreases in excitement and swimming activity. Post-feeding increases in oxygen consumption were observed in six groups. After this initial elevation, metabolic rates continued to increase slightly or declined. The importance of measuring the components of total respiration and their caloric equivalents is stated and will be discussed in a subsequent paper.