Effects of constant and cyclical thermal regimes on growth and feeding of juvenile cutthroat trout of variable sizes

Ecology of Freshwater Fish
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The effects of constant (12, 18, and 24 °C) and cyclical (daily variation of 15–21 and 12–24 °C) thermal regimes on the growth and feeding of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) of variable sizes were examined. Higher constant temperatures (i.e., 24 °C) and more variable daily temperatures (i.e., 12–24 °C daily cycle) negatively affected growth rates. As fish mass increased (from 0.24 to 15.52 g) the effects of different thermal regimes on mass growth became more pronounced. Following 14 days exposure to the thermal regimes, feeding rates of individual fish were assessed during acute exposure (40 min) to test temperatures of 12, 18, and 24 °C. Feeding rate was depressed during acute exposure to 24 °C, but was not significantly affected by the preceding thermal regime. Our results indicate that even brief daily exposure to higher temperatures (e.g., 24 °C) can have considerable sublethal effects on cutthroat trout, and that fish size should be considered when examining the effects of temperature.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of constant and cyclical thermal regimes on growth and feeding of juvenile cutthroat trout of variable sizes
Series title Ecology of Freshwater Fish
DOI 10.1111/j.1600-0633.2004.00052.x
Volume 13
Issue 3
Year Published 2004
Language English
Publisher Wiley Online
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 208
Last page 216
Country United States
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details