Thermal tolerance and preferred temperature range of juvenile meagre acclimated to four temperatures

Abstract

The present study reports the temperature tolerance, estimated using dynamic and static methodologies, and preferred temperature range, based on oxygen consumption rate (OCR), of juvenile meagre (Argyrosomus regius) (Asso, 1801) (3.4±0.9g) after 30 days of acclimation at 18, 22, 26 and 30°C. Meagre has dynamic and static thermal tolerance zones of 551°C2 and 460°C2, respectively and is a low resistance fish species, with a resistance zone area of 87°C2. The OCR of juvenile meagre at the above acclimation temperatures was 370, 410, 618 and 642mgh−1kg−1, respectively, and is significantly different (P<0.0001, n=20). The fact that OCR increases by rising temperatures and gradually decreases after 26°C indicates that the preferred temperature range of juvenile meagre is between 26 and 30°C. Our study suggests that meagre is unable to respond to low and high temperature variation in aquaculture facilities or its natural habitats.