Respirometer in a box: development and use of a portable field respirometer for estimating oxygen consumption of large-bodied fishes.

Abstract

This study developed a portable, low-cost field respirometer for measuring oxygen consumption rates of large-bodied fishes. The respirometer performed well in laboratory tests and was used to measure the oxygen consumption rates ( O2 ) of bull sharks Carcharhinus leucas (mean: 249.21 ± 58.10 mg O2 kg-1 h-1 at 27.05°C). Interspecific comparisons and assessments of oxygen degradation curves indicated that the respirometer provided reliable measurements of O2 . This system presents a field-based alternative to laboratory respirometers, opening opportunities for studies on species in remote localities, increasing the ability to validate physiological field studies.