[A-OS12] Marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles: theory, observation and modeling

[AOS12-09] Effects of the temperature and fish size on metabolism and swimming performance of Pacific chub mackerel Scomber japonicus in the Northwest Pacific

*Chenying Guo¹, Shin-ichi Ito¹, Michio Yoneda², Hajime Kitano² (1.Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, the University of Tokyo, 2.Fisheries Research and Education Agency Japan)

Keywords:Pacific chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus, swimming speed, metabolism, respirometer

Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is a small pelagic and important commercial fish species widely distributed throughout the coastal areas of the Northwestern, Northeastern, and Southeastern Pacific. Swimming energetic and metabolic data of Northwestern stock at two growth stage (young juvenile of 6.1±0.3 cm and immature of 16.5±1.4 cm fork length) were measured under various temperature (18°C and 24°C for young juvenile, 14°C and 18°C for immature) using a variable-speed swim-tunnel respirometer, and the new data were compared with the previous data from Northeastern Pacific stocks. For young juveniles, the maximum sustainable swimming speeds (U_max) was 50.0±6.5 cm s^-1 at 24°C, significantly higher than at 18°C of 30.7±2.5 cm s^-1. For the immature individuals, U_max showed no significant increase while temperature changed from 14 to 18°C, and did not vary significantly from Northeastern Pacific individuals within the same size range. At a given temperature of 18°C, U_max of immatures was significantly higher than those of young juveniles. For all individuals, the mass-specific oxygen consumption rate (V_O2) increased exponentially with swimming speed (U, in cm s^-1). At a given speed, V_O2 increased with temperature; at a given temperature of 18°C, V_O2 of immature individuals were lower than those of young juveniles. These effects of the temperature and fish size on V_O2 were consistent with previous studies of chub mackerel of Northeastern stocks, however, compared with Northeastern stocks within the same size range, V_O2 of Northwestern individuals acclimated to 14°C did not vary at a given speed, while those acclimated to 18°C showed higher V_O2 , indicating the Northwestern stock was more sensitive for temperature on metabolism.