Kj. Hartman et Sb. Brandt, COMPARATIVE ENERGETICS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOENERGETICS MODELS FOR SYMPATRIC ESTUARINE PISCIVORES, Canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences, 52(8), 1995, pp. 1647-1666
Bioenergetics models for striped bass (Morone saxalilis), bluefish (Po
matomus saltatrix), and weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) were developed fr
om laboratory experiments on metabolism and consumption. Size-specific
rates of consumption and metabolism were similar for bluefish and wea
kfish and higher than those for striped bass. Temperature effects on m
aximum consumption rate (C-max) differed with fish size. C-max of youn
g fish (30 g) increased with temperature, then declined rapidly at hig
her temperatures; C-max for larger fish of all three species (100-3000
g) increased rapidly to the maximum rate, but leveled off at higher (
25-30 degrees C) temperatures. Results of C-max experiments suggest th
at extrapolation of the temperature dependency of small fish to larger
fish, as is commonly done, may misrepresent potential growth at highe
r temperatures. Independent model validation using laboratory experime
nts found consumption estimates (from growth) to be within -1.4 to +4.
5% of known values for all species at temperatures above 19 degrees C;
however, at 6.9 degrees C consumption by striped bass was overestimat
ed by 20-46%. Model estimates of growth (from consumption) were within
-7.1 to +30.1% of known values in all validations. Overall, the growt
h physiology of the three species appeared to be related to the water
temperatures encountered during estuarine residency and production.