The influence of temperature on growth and proximate body composition of under yearling Lake Inari arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus (L.))

Abstract

The growth of underyearling Lake Inari arctic char was studied in groups of fish held at 5.9, 8.7, 12.1, 15.1 and 18.0 °C for 31 days. Growth rate increased with increasing water temperature, reached a peak at 15.1 °C, and then declined. The temperature influence on relative growth was expressed as a non-linear function. There were differences in body composition between fish reared at different temperatures: percentage water being highest at the lowest temperature, whereas energy content was highest in the fish held at the three highest temperatures. The body wet weight explained most of the variance in water content and it is suggested that this may also apply to other body constituents.