Swimming Performance of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in relation to Fatigue Time and Temperature

1967 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1731-1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Brett

Further studies on the swimming performance of fingerling sockeye salmon at fixed velocities have been conducted in relation to fatigue time. The method of probit analysis, commonly used in dealing with bioassay data, was found to be suitable for determining times to 50% fatigue and in providing a measure of variance despite the presence of some erratic behaviour. For sockeye acclimated to 15 C (mean length = 13.6 cm) the velocity at which 50% fatigued was 54.4 cm/sec or 4.0 lengths/sec (L/sec). The 5% and 95% fatigue velocities were 3.1 and 4.8 L/sec, respectively. Larger fish required longer exposure times for determining maximum sustained speeds, extending from approximately 120 min for fingerlings to 500 min for adults.Using the method of increasing velocity steps the effect of temperatures from 5 to 27.5 C was examined. When acclimated to 15 C fingerling sockeye exhibited only a 4% reduction in swimming speed at 10 and 20 C. Temperatures above the lethal level caused a rapid decline in swimming ability approaching the extinction point at 27.5 C.Recommendations for standard procedures in the study of swimming speeds are made.


1998 ◽  
Vol 201 (14) ◽  
pp. 2183-2193 ◽  
Author(s):  
A P Farrell ◽  
A K Gamperl ◽  
I K Birtwell

Mature, wild sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) demonstrated their remarkable stamina and recovery abilities by performing three consecutive critical swimming speed tests with only a 45 min interval for recovery between subsequent tests. Although the repeated swimming challenges were performed without a full recovery, normoxic fish swam just as well on the second swim, and the majority of fish swam only marginally more poorly on the third swim. In addition, metabolic loading in these fish, as measured by the rate of oxygen consumption, ventilation rate and plasma lactate levels during recovery, did not appear to be cumulative with successive swims. Fish, however, did not recover as well after a similar level of initial swimming performance under moderately hypoxic conditions (water PO2>100 mmHg; 1 mmHg=0.1333 kPa). Four out of the five fish did not swim again and their high plasma lactate levels indicated a greater anaerobic effort. In another group of fish, metabolic loading (elevated control rates of oxygen consumption) was induced with an overnight sublethal exposure to pentachlorophenol, but these fish swam as well as normoxic fish on the first swim, and five of the six fish swam for a third time at a marginally lower critical swimming speed. In contrast to expectations, pentachlorophenol pretreatment and moderate hypoxia were not additive in their effects. Instead, the effects resembled those of pentachlorophenol pretreatment alone. The results are discussed in terms of what aspects of fatigue might impair the repeat swimming performance of sockeye salmon.



2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter E Jones ◽  
Jon C Svendsen ◽  
Luca Börger ◽  
Toby Champneys ◽  
Sofia Consuegra ◽  
...  

Abstract Artificial barriers cause widespread impacts on freshwater fish. Swimming performance is often used as the key metric in assessing fishes’ responses to river barriers. However, barrier mitigation is generally based on the swimming ability of salmonids and other strong swimmers because knowledge of swimming ability for most other freshwater fish is poor. Also, fish pass designs tend to adopt a ‘one size fits all’ approach because little is known about population or individual variability in swimming performance. Here, we assessed interspecific and intraspecific differences in the sustained swimming speed (Usus) of five freshwater fish with contrasting body sizes, morphologies and swimming modes: topmouth gudgeon, European minnow, stone loach, bullhead and brown trout. Significant Usus variation was identified at three organizational levels: species, populations and individual. Interspecific differences in Usus were as large as 64 cm s−1, upstream populations of brown trout showed mean Usus 27 cm s−1 higher than downstream populations, and species exhibited high individual variation (e.g. cv = 62% in European minnow). Sustained swimming speed (Usus) increased significantly with body size in topmouth gudgeon, European minnow and brown trout, but not in the two benthic species, bullhead and stone loach. Aerobic scope had a significant positive effect on Usus in European minnow, stone loach and brown trout. Sustained swimming speed (Usus) decreased with relative pectoral fin length in European minnow and brown trout, whereas body fineness was the best predictor in stone loach and bullhead. Hence, swimming performance correlated with a diverse range of traits that are rarely considered when predicting fish passage. Our study highlights the dangers of using species’ average swimming speeds and illustrates why a ‘one size fits all’ approach often fails to mitigate for barrier effects. We call for an evidence-based approach to barrier mitigation, one that recognizes natural variability at multiple hierarchical levels.



1964 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1183-1226 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Brett

The rate of oxygen consumption in young sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) was determined for various swimming speeds, including fatigue levels, at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 24 °C. A logarithmic increase in oxygen demand with increase in swimming speed characterized each acclimation temperature. Extrapolation to zero activity (standard metabolism) and maximum activity (active metabolism) provided differences of the order of 10 to 12 times the minimum rate.The greatest scope for activity occurred at 15 °C with an average active metabolic rate of 895 mg O2/kg/hr for a swimming speed of 4.1 body lengths per second, just maintained for 1 hr. Above 15 °C active metabolism was limited, apparently by oxygen availability.Rate of replacement of oxygen debt following fatigue was determined by tracing the return to a resting state of metabolism, and confirmed by re-tests at fatigue velocities. In most instances the rate declined logarithmically with time; in some there was an initial or secondary slump. Times to recovery (return of spontaneous activity) averaged 3.2 hr, independent of acclimation temperature.Swimming speed–fatigue tests indicated a sustained level of performance at about 200–300 min. Comparison with other fish suggests a marked change in slope of the fatigue curve at about 20 sec. The effect of temperature was greatest on sustained speeds and least on burst speeds.



1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. W. H. Beamish ◽  
J. C. Howlett ◽  
T. E. Medland

Juvenile lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, of similar size were fed one of three isocaloric diets, each differing in protein and lipid content. Oxygen consumption and swimming performance were measured in a recirculating water flume at intervals throughout the 70-d feeding trials (10 °C). Swimming speed was increased by stepwise velocity increments (5 cm∙s−1) and oxygen consumption was measured at each velocity between 20 and 45 cm∙s−1. Oxygen consumption for a given speed did not differ significantly throughout the feeding trial nor among the diets implying a similarity in the quality and quantity of substrate catabolized for energy. Basal metabolism (0 cm∙s−1) was also independent of diet and feeding interval. Critical swimming speed increased with dietary and carcass protein content to suggest a direct association with muscle mass and number of myofilaments.



2015 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 1127-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leif Nøttestad ◽  
Justine Diaz ◽  
Hector Penã ◽  
Henrik Søiland ◽  
Geir Huse ◽  
...  

Abstract High abundance of Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.), combined with limited food resources, may now force mackerel to enter new and productive regions in the northern Norwegian Sea. However, it is not known how mackerel exploit the spatially varying feeding resources, and their vertical distribution and swimming behaviour are also largely unknown. During an ecosystem survey in the Norwegian Sea during the summer feeding season, swimming direction, and speed of mackerel schools were recorded with high-frequency omnidirectional sonar in four different regions relative to currents, ambient temperature, and zooplankton. A total of 251 schools were tracked, and fish and zooplankton were sampled with pelagic trawl and WP-2 plankton net. Except for the southwest region, swimming direction of the tracked schools coincided with the prevailing northerly Atlantic current direction in the Norwegian Sea. Swimming with the current saves energy, and the current also provides a directional cue towards the most productive areas in the northern Norwegian Sea. Average mean swimming speed in all regions combined was ∼3.8 body lengths s−1. However, fish did not swim in a straight course, but often changed direction, suggesting active feeding in the near field. Fish were largest and swimming speed lowest in the northwest region which had the highest plankton concentrations and lowest temperature. Mackerel swam close to the surface at a depth of 8–39 m, with all schools staying above the thermocline in waters of at least 6°C. In surface waters, mackerel encounter improved foraging rate and swimming performance. Going with the flow until temperature is too low, based on an expectation of increasing foraging rate towards the north while utilizing available prey under way, could be a simple and robust feeding strategy for mackerel in the Norwegian Sea.



1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Webb

Kinematics and steady swimming performance were recorded for steelhead trout (approximately 12.2 cm in total length) swimming in channels 4.5, 3 and 1.6 cm wide in the centre of a flume 15 cm wide. Channel walls were solid or porous. Tail-beat depth and the length of the propulsive wave were not affected by spacing of either solid or porous walls. The product of tail-beat frequency, F, and amplitude, H, was related to swimming speed, u, and to harmonic mean distance of the tail from the wall, z. For solid walls: FH = 1.01(+/−0.31)u0.67(+/−0.09)z(0.12+/−0.02) and for grid walls: FH = 0.873(+/−0.302)u0.74(+/−0.08)z0.064(+/−0.024), where +/−2 s.e. are shown for regression coefficients. Thus, rates of working were smaller for fish swimming between solid walls, but the reduction due to wall effects decreased with increasing swimming speed. Porous grid walls had less effect on kinematics, except at low swimming speeds. Spacing of solid walls did not affect maximum tail-beat frequency, but maximum tail-beat amplitude decreased with smaller wall widths. Maximum tail-beat amplitude similarly decreased with spacing between grid walls, but maximum tail-beat frequency increased. Walls also reduced maximum swimming speed. Wall effects have not been adequately taken into account in most studies of fish swimming in flumes and fish wheels.



2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot O. Hering ◽  
Jens Stepan

The lactate threshold (LT) and the strongly related maximal lactate steady state workload (MLSSW) are critical for physical endurance capacity and therefore of major interest in numerous sports. However, their relevance to individual swimming performance is not well understood. We used a custom-made visual light pacer for real-time speed modulation during front crawl to determine the LT and MLSSW in a single-exercise test. When approaching the LT, we found that minute variations in swimming speed had considerable effects on blood lactate concentration ([La−]). The LT was characterized by a sudden increase in [La−], while the MLSSW occurred after a subsequent workload reduction, as indicated by a rapid cessation of blood lactate accumulation. Determination of the MLSSW by this so-called “individual lactate threshold” (ILT)-test was highly reproducible and valid in a constant speed test. Mean swimming speed in 800 and 1,500 m competition (S-Comp) was 3.4% above MLSSW level and S-Comp, and the difference between S-Comp and the MLSSW (Δ S-Comp/MLSSW) were higher for long-distance swimmers (800–1,500 m) than for short- and middle-distance swimmers (50–400 m). Moreover, Δ S-Comp/MLSSW varied significantly between subjects and had a strong influence on overall swimming performance. Our results demonstrate that the MLSSW determines individual swimming performance, reflects endurance capacity in the sub- to supra-threshold range, and is therefore appropriate to adjust training intensity in moderate to severe domains of exercise.



2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Deslauriers ◽  
Ryan Johnston ◽  
Steven R. Chipps

Abstract We assessed the effect of fin-curl on the swimming and station-holding ability of juvenile shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus (mean fork length = 17 cm; mean weight = 16 g; n = 21) using a critical swimming speed test performed in a small swim chamber (90 L) at 20°C. We quantified fin-curl severity using the pectoral fin index. Results showed a positive relationship between pectoral fin index and critical swimming speed indicative of reduced swimming performance displayed by fish afflicted with a pectoral fin index < 8%. Fin-curl severity, however, did not affect the station-holding ability of individual fish. Rather, fish affected with severe fin-curl were likely unable to use their pectoral fins to position their body adequately in the water column, which led to the early onset of fatigue. Results generated from this study should serve as an important consideration for future stocking practices.



Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (12) ◽  
pp. 1369-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil J. Morley

AbstractTrematode transmission in aquatic habitats from molluscan intermediate host to vertebrate or invertebrate target host is typically undertaken by a free-living stage known as cercariae. Active locomotion by cercariae is a key aspect of the transmission process with the swimming speed potentially contributing to infection success. Individual cercarial species swim at different speeds but the significance of this to infection potential has not been determined. This study, using data from the scientific literature, investigates the role of swimming speed in relation to cercarial morphology, host-searching strategies and target host species. Larger cercariae swim faster than smaller ones with tail length being the principal factor controlling locomotion rates. Different cercarial morphotypes swim at different speeds, in particular, furcocercariae, with the exception of the schistosomes, being faster swimmers than mono-tailed cercariae. Host-searching behaviour has a significant influence on swimming speeds with ‘active-searching’ strategies swimming slower than those adopting ‘active-waiting’ or ‘prey mimcry’ strategies. Vertebrate-infecting cercariae swim faster than those infecting invertebrates with species targeting fish demonstrating the highest locomotion rates and those targeting arthropods the slowest speeds. The adaptions of individual cercarial swimming speeds to biological variables and their interactions with the physical processes of aquatic habitats are discussed.



2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 2124-2133 ◽  
Author(s):  
G N Wagner ◽  
S G Hinch ◽  
L J Kuchel ◽  
A Lotto ◽  
S RM Jones ◽  
...  

Adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) acquire infections with the myxosporean kidney parasite Parvicapsula minibicornis during their spawning migration in the Fraser River, British Columbia. Controlled infections with this parasite in wild sockeye salmon had no significant impact on plasma ionic status, metabolic rates, and initial maximum prolonged swimming performance (Ucrit) for fish ranked as either strongly, weakly, or noninfected by polymerase chain reaction analysis of kidney tissue. However, strongly infected fish had significantly lower second Ucrit and recovery ratio (8%) values, indicating decreased ability to recover from exercise. As the present study shows that the severity of infection is affected by time and temperature, the accumulated thermal units (ATU) of exposure in this study were compared with those experienced by naturally migrating sockeye salmon. A parallel telemetry study revealed that early-timed sockeye experienced significantly more ATU (741.4 ± 29.4 °C) than normally migrating salmon (436.0 ± 20.0 °C) prior to spawning because of a significantly longer holding period in the lake system. The present data are discussed in the context of a threshold of >450 °C ATU for severe infection that would first manifest in early-timed fish in the upper reaches of the Fraser River and certainly on the spawning grounds.



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