Temperature Preferences of Four Fish Species in an Electronic Thermoregulatory Shuttlebox

Abstract

Temperature preferences of four fish species were studied in an electronic thermoregulatory shuttlebox. The modal temperature preferences (final preferenda) of the four species were: black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), 24°C; carp (Cyprinus carpio), 29°C; chain pickerel (Esox niger), 24°C; and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), 26°C. The species differed in thermoregulatory precision as well as in final preferred temperature, indicating the species-specific nature of thermal behavior. There was little intraspecific variation among individuals tested. The results agree well with those of other investigators using different methods and apparatus.