A Method of Estimating the Relative Volumes of Water Flowing Over the Different Gills of A Freshwater Fish

Abstract

1. A technique is described which uses marker parasites to estimate the relative volumes of water flowing over the different gills of a freshwater fish. 2. It was found that in brown trout from Windermere most of the respiratory current flows over the second and third pairs of gills, less flows over the first pair on each side and least of all across the most posterior pairs of gill. Similarly, the median pair of gill slits carries more of the respiratory current than any of the other slits whereas first and fifth pairs of gill slits together carry only about one-sixth of the total water flow. 3. Hatchery-bred brown trout showed a slight but significant difference in pattern of water movement over their gills following vigorous exercise. Possible reasons for this are discussed.