Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oxygen uptake and comparative energetics among eggs and larvae of three subtropical marine fishes

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Oxygen uptake was measured and energy budgets were determined for eggs and larvae of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), sea bream (Archosargus rhomboidalis) and lined sole (Achirus lineatus). Using an energetics model, both minimum rations and prey levels were estimated. The QO 2 [μl (mg dry wt)-1 h-1] increased approximately five-fold for all species during development from egg to feedingstage larvae. The weight exponents in power functions, R=aWb, relating oxygen uptake (R) to dry weight (W) did not differ significantly among species. The exponents were: bay anchovy, 0.9770; sea bream, 0.8382; lined sole, 0.9416. Oxygen uptake was generally lower for bay achovy than for the other species. In the energy budgets issimilation efficiencies of all species were low (24–75%). Gross growth efficiencies ranged from 11–41%, and net growth efficiencies from 38–57%. An estimated 32–83% of ingested energy was excreted in feces and urine. The lavae used a relatively small proportion of ingested energy in metabolism (6–31%). The anchovy had the lowest assimilation and gross growth efficiencies, and the highest excretion rate. Consistent with the better growth and survival observed in previous experiments, sea bream were the most efficient assimilators and had the lowest required minimum rations. Required minimum prey levels for first-feeding larvae ranged from 400 copepod nauplii l-1 for sea bream and bay anchovy to 1 000 l-1 for lined sole. The estimated required prey levels were higher than levels at which significant survival had been observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Baird, R. C. and T. L. Hopkins: Trophodynamics of the fish Valenciennellus tripunctulatus. III. Energetics, resources and feeding strategy. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 5, 21–28 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Beyer, J. E. and P. Munk Christensen: Food consumption by larval fish. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea, C.M. 1980/L:28, 1–15 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaxter, J. H. S.: Development: eggs and larvae. In: Fish physiology. Vol. III. Reproduction and growth, pp 177–252. Ed. by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall, New York: Academic Press 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Braaten, B. K.: Bioenergetics — a review on methodology. In: Proceedings of the world symposium on finfish nutrition and fishfeed technology, Hamburg 20–23 June, 1978. Vol. 2, pp 461–504, Ed. by J. E. Halver and K. Tiews: Berlin: Heenemann (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Brett, J. R. and T. D. D., Growves: Physiological energetics. In: Fish physiology. Vol. VIII. Bioenergetics and growth, pp 280–352. Ed. by W. S. Hoar, D. J. Randall and J. R. Brett. New York: Academic Press 1979

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, L. J. and D. W. Dillman. Nitrogen utilization by larval summer flounder, Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol., (In press)

  • Chitty, N.: Behavioral observations of feeding bay anchovy larvae, Anchoa mitchilli and bigeye anchovy larvae, Anchoa lamprotaenia. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 178, 320–321 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chitty, N. and E. D. Houde: Laboratory studies on interactions between two species of anchovy larvae. Int. Counc. Explor. Sea. C.M 1981/L:29, 1–10 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Conover, R. J.: Transformation of organic matter. In: Marine ecology. Vol. IV, pp 221–499. Ed. by O. E. Kinne Chichester, New York, Brisbane, Toronto: John Wiley and Sons 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, K. W. and J. C. Wuycheck: Caloric equivalents for investigations in ecological energetics. Mitt. int. Ver. Limnol. 18, 1–158 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, J. and S. Lonning: Oxygen uptake in developing eggs and larvae of the cod, Gadus morhua L. J. Fish Biol. 16, 249–256 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • DeSilva, C. D. and P. Tytler: The influence of reduced environmental oxygen on the metabolism and survival of herring and plaice larvae. Neth. J. Sea Res. 7, 345–362 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Filatov, V. T.: Effectiveness of the utilization of natural foods by carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) larvae. J. Ichthyol. 12, 812–818 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fry, F. E. J.: The effect of environmental factors on the physiology of fish. In: Fish physiology. Vol. VI. Environmental relations and behavior, pp 1–98. Ed. by W. S. Hoar and D. J. Randall, New York: Academic Press 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Glass, N. R.: Discussion of calculation of power function with special reference to respiratory metabolism in fish. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 26, 2643–2650 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holliday, F. G. T., J. H. S. Blaxter and R. Lasker: Oxygen uptake of developing eggs and larvae of the herring (Clupea harengus). J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 44, 711–723 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Holling, C. S.: Some characteristics of simple types of predation and parasitism. Can. Ent. 91, 385–398 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoss, D. F.: Energy requirements of a population of pinfish Lagodon rhombodies (Linnaeus). Ecology 55, 848–855 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D.: Effects of temperature and delayed feeding on growth and survival of larvae of three species of subtropical marine fishes. Mar. Biol. 26, 271–285 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D.: Critical food concentrations for larvae of three species of subtropical marine fishes. Bull. mar. Sci. 28, 395–411 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D. and R. C. Schekter: Feeding by marine fish larvae: developmental and functional responses. Env. Biol. Fish. 5, 315–334 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Houde, E. D. and R. C. Schekter: Growth rates, rations and cohort consumption of marine fish larvae in relation to prey concentrations. Rapp. P.-v. Reun. Cons. int. Explor. Mer. 178, 441–453 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J. R.: Swimming and feeding behavior of larval anchovy Engraulis mordax. Fish. Bull., U.S. 70, 821–838 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J.R. and C. M. Kimbrell: Early life history of Pacific mackerel, Scomber japonicus. Fish. Bull. U.S. 78, 89–101 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, J. R. and R. Leong: The spawning energetics of female northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax. Fish. Bull., U.S. 79, 215–230 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitchell, J. F., D. J. Stewart and D. Weininger: Applications of a bioenergetics model to yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum). J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 34, 1922–1935 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kudrinskaya, O. M.: Food and temperature as factors affecting the growth, development and survival of pike-perch and perch larvae. J. Ichthyol. 10, 779–788 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, R.: Field criteria for survival of anchovy larvae: the relation between inshore chlorophyll maximum layers and successful first feeding. Fish. Bull., U.S. 73, 453–462 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, R. and G. H. Theilacker: Oxygen consumption and osmoregulation by single Pacific sardine eggs and larvae (Sardinops caerulea Girard). J. Cons., Cons. int. Explor. Mer 27, 25–33 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, R. and J. R. Zweifel: Growth and survival of first-feeding northern anchovy larvae (Engraulis mordax) in patches containing different proportions of large and small prey. In: Spatial pattern in plankton communities, pp 329–354. Ed. by J. H. Steele, New York: Plenum Publishing Co. 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: The energy expenditure of largemouth bass larvae, Micropterus salmoides, during yolk absorption. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 98, 398–405 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: Laboratory growth and metabolism of the winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus from hatching through metamorphosis at three temperatures. Mar. Biol. 32, 223–229 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: Caloric values of some North Atlantic calanoid copepods. Fish. Bull., U.S. 74, 218–220 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: A bioenergetic model for the analysis of feeding and survival potential of winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, larvae during the period from hatching to metamorphosis. Fish Bull., U.S. 75, 529–546 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Laurence, G. C.: Comparative growth, respiration and delayed feeding abilities of larval cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) as influenced by temperature during laboratory studies. Mar. Biol. 50, 1–7 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, E. L. and J. L. Forney. Energetics, food consumption, and growth of young yellow perch in Oneida Lake, New York. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 110, 479–488 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mironova, N. V.: The energy balance of Tilapia mossambica. J. Inchthyol. 14, 431–438 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, D. S. and W. E. Schaaf: Food requirements and sources for juvenile Atlantic menhaden. Trans. Am. Fish Soc. 110, 317–324 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stepien, W. P., Jr.: Feeding of laboratory-reared larvae of the sea bream Archosargus rhomboidalis (Sparidae). Mar. Biol. 38, 1–16 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Thayer, G. W., W. E. Schaaf, J. W. Angelovic and M. W. LaCroix: Caloric measurements of some estuarine organisms. Fish. Bull., U.S. 71, 289–296 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Theilacker, G. H. and K. Dorsey. Larval fish diversity, a summary of laboratory and field research. In: Workshop on the effects of environmental variation on the survival of larval pelagic fishes, pp 105–142. Ed. by G. D. Sharp, Rome: UNESCO, IOC Workshop Rep. 28, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  • Toetz, D. W.: The change from endogenous to exogenous sources of energy in bluegill sunfish larvae. Invest. Indiana Lakes Streams 7, 115–146 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ware, D. M.: Growth, metabolism, and optimal swimming speed of a pelagic fish. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32, 33–41 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, P. W.: Partitioning of energy into metabolism and growth. In: Ecology of freshwater fish production, pp 184–214. Ed. by S. D. Gerking, New York-Toronto: John Wiley and Sons 1978

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, R. F.: The solubility of nitrogen, oxygen and argon in water and seawater. Deep-Sea Res. 17, 721–735 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Winberg, G. G.: Rate of metabolism and food requirements of fishes. Beloruss. State Univ. Minsk (1956) (Fish. Res. Bd Can., Transl. Ser. No. 194, 253 pp. 1960)

  • Wissing, T. E., R. M. Darnell, M. A. Ibrahim and L. Berner, Jr.: Caloric values of marine animals from the Gulf of Mexico. Contrib. mar. Sci. 17, 1–7 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H.: Biostatistical analysis 620 pp. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1974

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland, 20688-0038, Solumons, Maryland, USA

    E. D. Houde & R. C. Schekter

Authors
  1. E. D. Houde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. C. Schekter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by S. K. Pierce, College Park

Contribution no. 1376, University of Maryland Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Houde, E.D., Schekter, R.C. Oxygen uptake and comparative energetics among eggs and larvae of three subtropical marine fishes. Marine Biology 72, 283–293 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396834

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00396834

Keywords

Search

Navigation