Behavioral and physiological responses of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) to moderate hypoxia

Abstract

While severe hypoxia can be lethal and is usually avoided by mobile aquatic organisms, moderate hypoxic conditions are likely more prevalent and may affect organisms, such as fishes, in a variety of systems. However, fishes have the potential to adjust physiologically and behaviorally and thus reduce the negative effects of hypoxia. Quantifying such physiological responses may shed light on the ability of fishes to tolerate reduced oxygen concentrations. This study assessed how two different hatchery populations of yellow perch Perca flavescens, a fish that is likely to encounter moderate hypoxic conditions in a variety of systems, responded to moderate hypoxic exposure through three experiments: 1) a behavioral foraging experiment, 2) an acute exposure experiment, and 3) a chronic exposure experiment. No marked behavioral or physiological adjustments were observed in response to hypoxia (e.g., hemoglobin, feeding rate, movement frequency, gene expression did not change to a significant degree), possibly indicating a high tolerance level in this species. This may allow yellow perch to utilize areas of moderate hypoxia to continue foraging while avoiding predators that may be more sensitive to moderately low oxygen.

Combined effects of moderate hypoxia, pesticides and PCBs upon crucian carp fish, Carassius carassius, from a freshwater lake- in situ ecophysiological approach

“…Excess nutrient loading from human sources, as well as usage of agricultural products like pesticides, may develop hypoxia more frequently and for a longer duration. Therefore, the incidence of hypoxic areas has increased with human population growth and intensive land-use practices (Hrycik et al, 2017;Almeida et al, 2017). Furthermore, the co-occurrence of hypoxia, pesticides and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls compounds) is becoming extremely common in natural environments.…”

Nutrient loading effects on fish habitat quality: Trade‐offs between enhanced production and hypoxia in Lake Erie, North America

“…Our model assumes that habitat quality below a certain oxygen threshold is not beneficial for yellow perch. Since yellow perch do continue to use this habitat via foraging forays (Roberts et al., 2009) and juvenile hypoxia tolerance may be higher in lower hypolimnion temperatures than we assumed in this model (Almeida et al., 2017), annual GRP metrics may somewhat underestimate habitat quality for yellow perch adults and juveniles.…”

“…However, increases in nutrients may also increase total biomass of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates, potentially providing more food for fish (Blumenshine et al., 1997; Elmgren, 1989; Rose et al., 2018; Smith et al., 1981). While past studies have evaluated the potential effects of hypoxia on fish growth (e.g., Almeida et al., 2017; Eby et al., 2005), horizontal and vertical distribution (e.g., Kraus et al., 2015; Ludsin et al., 2009), trophic interactions (e.g., Glaspie et al., 2019; Pihl, 1994; Shoji et al., 2005), recruitment (Hughes et al., 2015), and community composition (e.g., Howell & Simpson, 1994; Ludsin et al., 2001), most have only considered effects of hypoxia and ignored the potential benefits of coincident prey increases (however, see Adamack et al., 2017; Rose et al., 2018).…”

The effect of littoral complexity on the diel distribution of early juvenile fish communities in temperate freshwater reservoirs

“…Unlike previous observations made in lakes with high water clarity and thermally homogenous water column (Jůza et al, 2019; Rechencq et al, 2011; Scheuerell & Schindler, 2003) or in stratified temperate reservoirs (Čech et al, 2005; Čech & Kubečka, 2006) where fishes occupied depth >10 m, the juvenile fish communities from the investigated water bodies were not found below 6 m depth (Appendix S2), likely due to severe oxygen depletion in the metalimnion. Juvenile fishes have been shown to temporarily tolerate hypoxic conditions with oxygen concentrations <2 mg L −1 (Vejřík, Matějíčková, Jůza, et al, 2016; Vejřík, Matějíčková, Seďa, et al, 2016), including yellow perch ( Perca flavescens , Mitchell 1814) that can inhabit hypoxic areas as refuge from more oxygen‐sensitive predators (Almeida et al, 2017). In this study, however, juvenile fishes avoided oxygen‐poor conditions and dwelt in well‐saturated upper pelagic layers.…”