A field survey performed in Paracas Bay (Peru), a major scallop culture area, showed that the Peruvian scallop, Argopecten purpuratus, periodically faces severe hypoxic events. Oxygen uptake rate (V02) of A. purpuratus juveniles facing progressive decrease of environmental oxygen saturation (from 100% to 5%) was measured at two contrasting temperatures (“normal condition”=16°C and “warm condition”=25°C). In normoxia, (oxygen saturation>70%) average V02 was significantly (p<0.001) higher in warm condition (0.20±0.004mg O2ind−1h−1) than in normal condition (0.12±0.007mg O2ind−1h−1). The shape of the V02 response curve during increasing hypoxic conditions was evaluated using a segmented linear regression. The break points between linear segments allowed estimating the oxygen critical points (PcO2, oxygen saturation units), while the slopes of the various segments was used to assess the V02 regulatory capacity. In both temperature conditions at oxygen saturation lower than PcO2, V02 was a fourth of the values recorded in normoxic condition. This trend was more pronounced in the warm condition. Paradoxically, the estimated PcO2 was lower in warm condition (21.4%±0.7) compared to the normal condition (24.4%±1.9). However, the study of the slopes at oxygen saturations higher than PcO2 revealed that A. purpuratus can regulate its respiratory rate similarly and efficiently at both 16 and 25°C. Moreover, for V02 above PcO2, the estimated Q10 between normal and warm conditions was 1.78 (Arrhenius temperature=4983K), highlighting a moderate effect of temperature on V02. These results reflect the adaptive capacity of this species to the changing environment along the Peruvian–Chilean coasts influenced by upwelling system and ENSO events. However, results from this study indicate that, at least during some periods, A. purpuratus spend more than 70% of its time exposed to hypoxic conditions below the estimated PcO2. Such conditions could have negative consequences on the species metabolism and harm the performance of A. purpuratus culture. Statement relevanceWe investigate the respiratory response of an aquaculture species, the Peruvian scallop, to hypoxia. They are located in waters that are facing frequent hypoxic events but their response to hypoxia remains unknown. Our results show that scallop exhibits a high respiration regulation capacity at both 16 and 25°C. This knowledge is fundamental for management of the Peruvian scallop aquaculture.