The Effect of Temperature on the Growth and Respiration of Fish Embryos (Salmo Fario)

Abstract

1. The rate of respiration (as expressed in c.c. O₂ per gram embryo per hour) of the embryos of Salmo fario remains constant at any given temperature until the embryo has reached its maximum growth-rate, after this point it declines. It is suggested that the rate of respiration may be proportional to the amount of available yolk. 2. When incubated at 7° C. the time required to complete development after hatching was 5⁸ days and the total oxygen consumed by an average embryo during this period was 20·31 c.c. (N.T.P.). At 12° the time required for the completion of development was reduced to 27 days, but the oxygen consumption remained practically unchanged at 20·71 c.c. At 3° C. the time required for development was 108 days and the oxygen consumption was 26·96 c.c. per embryo. 3. At 7 and 12° C. the efficiency of development was found to be identical with the value given by Gray for 11·5° C., viz. 6₃ per cent.; at 3°C. the average efficiency over the period considered was only 54 per cent. 4. It is suggested that, between the limits of temperature to which a trout egg is normally exposed, the effect of temperature on respiration is neither greater nor less than its effect on the growth-rate; possibly both processes are dependent on the same controlling factor. Above and below this range of temperature, the relative intensity of the respiratory processes (to those of growth) is increased, and a smaller embryo is the final result of incubation.