Theses and Dissertations

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0284-0030

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Neal, J. Wesley

Committee Member

Allen, Peter J.

Committee Member

McGee, Michael V.

Date of Degree

8-9-2022

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture

Abstract

I examined the effects of temperature (25, 30, and 35°C) on growth, standard metabolic rate (SMR), and lower dissolved oxygen tolerance (LDOT) of juvenile Speckled Peacock Bass Cichla temensis. Fish were acclimated to 150-L aquaria for 7 weeks before the growth, SMR, and LDOT experiments. The growth study lasted 58 days and fish acclimated to 25 and 30°C displayed similar growth rates, while fish acclimated to 35°C had very poor growth rates. The SMR and LDOT experiments were performed using intermittent respirometers. Fish acclimated to 25°C had the lowest SMR, followed by 30°C, and finally 35°C. The highest LDOT was observed at 25°C, followed by 30°C, and finally 35°C. Collectively, these results suggest that 25-30°C is within the thermal optima of Speckled Peacock Bass for grow-out and survival in an aquaculture setting. Further, I recommend maintaining dissolved oxygen concentrations at or near saturation.

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