Body Temperatures of Some Marine Fishes

Abstract

A thermoelectric method for use in measuring the body temp, of large fish is descr. Data are presented of measurements taken on 5 specimens of striped marlin (Makaira mitsukurii) indicating body temps, above that of sea water at the surface. These temps, are interpreted as due to excessive activity of the animals during capture; although the data are scanty, they suggest that under normal conditions of activity the body temp, of large fishes such as the marlin does not differ greatly from that of the environment. A single measurement on sunfish (Mola mola) gave a body temp. below that of the surface water; the animal apparently came up from a cold stratum of water just prior to its capture near the surface.