Similarities in Avoidance Temperatures of Freshwater Fishes

Abstract

A statistical analysis of new and published data revealed strong geographic similarities in laboratory-determined avoidance temperatures of several freshwater fishes. Validated regression models developed from our laboratory data predicted avoidance temperatures, within specified variation, of species from other areas. Four cyprinids, two ictalurids, seven centrarchids, and two percids were tested. Species within each family showed similar avoidance temperatures. An exception was white crappie, Pomoxis annularis, which avoided lower temperatures than other centrarchids. Acclimation temperature was the most significant predictor variable. No significant differences of practical value were observed in avoidance temperatures between rising and falling field temperature. Our analysis provides an impetus to minimize site-specific laboratory studies of temperature avoidance for individual species and provides an objective method for literature data comparisons.