Estimating the active metabolic rate (AMR) in fish based on tail beat frequency (TBF) and body mass

Abstract

Tail beat frequency (TBF) was measured for carp (Cyprinus carpio) and roach (Rutilus rutilus), during steady swimming at five different speeds and for fish of various body masses. A multiple stepwise linear regression analysis resulted in models for the prediction of TBFs depending on swimming speed as an independent variable. Speed explained 72 and 86% of the variance in TBF for carp and roach, respectively. By using these data to predict TBF from speed and substituting values into a model from a previous study that predicts active metabolic rates (AMR) from body mass and swimming speed, we can calculate AMR from only fish mass and TBF. Thus, the derived models can be used to estimate the AMR in fish by measuring TBFs in the field using biotelemetry. The approach presented here is a useful and relatively simple tool for estimating the activity metabolism in free-swimming fish. In future studies this method should be applied to a larger and more representative sample size to test the applicability and the validity for a broader range of species.

Interrelationships between feeding, food deprivation and swimming performance in juvenile grass carp

“…The construction of fish ladders is an engineering approach for mitigating impacts on fish migration. Nonetheless, an effective design requires knowledge of fish biology (Yagci 2010), specifically swimming performance, which includes swimming behavior and capability as well as the metabolic changes associated with swimming (Ohlberger et al 2007, Tu et al 2011.…”

The effects of swimming pattern on the energy use of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurataL.)

“…Variables associated with swimming speed (e.g. tail beat pressure and frequency) have been tested as suitable predictors of M O 2 during forced swimming (Lowe et al 1998;Lowe 2001;Webber et al 2001;Steinhausen et al 2005Steinhausen et al , 2007Ohlberger et al 2007). In general, however, wild fish do not swim steadily and linearly as in forced swimming experiments, but move spontaneously with changes in speed and direction during activities, such as feeding, territorial defence and predator avoidance.…”

Oxygen consumption and swimming behavior of juvenile Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii during stepped velocity tests

“…The model assumes that energy expenditure increases with swimming speed (Ohlberger et al 2007, Clark et al 2013. In previous studies (Lee et al 2003, Cai et al 2013, 2014b (2) TBF (2) Swimming speed (BL s -1 ) .96, p < 0.05), whereas the swimming speed index obtained by the power equation can be used for comparison with other species.…”

“…TBF is often used as an indicator of swimming behavior and has been shown to correlate positively with swimming speed (Ohlberger et al 2007). Based on the significant correlation between TBF and U, the present investigation has quantified the relationship for A. baerii.…”

“…For example, the minimal slot width (in the vertical slot model) can be determined by the largest tail beat amplitude (TBA), and the slot velocities of upstream fishways should be lower than critical swimming speed (U crit ) of the fish in downstream fishways (Tu et al 2011). It is easy to evaluate costs of activities such as migrating by measuring tail beat frequency (TBF) and observing body movements of the fish (Ohlberger et al 2007). Excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) can be used to determine recovery time after fatigue, and resting pools should usually be required in fishways (Cai et al 2013).…”