Temperatures Selected Seasonally by Four Fishes from Western Lake Erie

Abstract

When four species of fish were taken from western Lake Erie in each of four seasons and held usually for less than 7 days at ambient lake temperatures, the temperatures they selected during 2–3 days in a horizontal temperature gradient differed seasonally. The differences were largely attributable to the conditions at which the fish had been acclimatized in the lake, and were modified by acclimation during 2–3 days in the gradient.The selected temperatures provided insights into the temperatures that might be selected by these species each season if the lake basin or other waters with similar seasonal ambient temperatures were subjected to thermal discharges. Temperatures selected were above ambient lake temperatures except for emerald shiners (Notropis atherinoides) in summer and fall. In general, white bass (Morone chrysops) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) selected a high range in temperatures throughout the year (18–30 C and 18–31 C, respectively), yellow perch (Perca flavescens) an intermediate range (10–29 C) and emerald shiners the lowest range (6–23 C). Three of the species were distributed within a relatively precise temperature range in the summer and within a larger range during other seasons; emerald shiners selected a narrow range during all seasons. A fairly stable temperature preference was usually reached within several hours in summer, but the temperatures selected by three species generally increased with time in the gradient during the other seasons; emerald shiners selected constant temperatures in all seasons. Temperatures selected by young and adults differed mainly in yellow perch and emerald shiners in summer and winter, when the lake temperatures fluctuated least.

Behavioral thermoregulation in three Hawaiian reef fishes

“…The function of this behavior in nature is unknown. No seasonal differences were found in the selected temperatures of damselfish and butterfly&h. When compared to the temperate locations where seasonal variations in selected temperatures have been found (Sullivan & Fisher 1953, Barans & Tubb 1973 seasonal changes in temperature preferred by Hawaiian fishes would seem likely to be smaller.…”

“…Adults occur in deeper, cooler water (Helfrich 1958, Hobson 1972, both on the bottom and in mid-water feeding schools. The young of three of five freshwater species (Barans & Tubb 1973, McCauley & Read 1973) selected warmer temperatures than the adults. This preference for warmer water by juveniles is consistent with their habitat preference.…”

Seasonal distribution of American plaice on the northern Grand Banks

“…Season can have a major impact on temperatures selected, possibly through seasonal shifts in metabolic rate (Sullivan & Fisher 1953, Fry & Hochachka 1970, Barans & Tubb 1973. Another factor which may affect the reaction of plaice on the Grand Banks to temperature is avoidance of freezing.…”

Post-Release Attributes and Survival of Hatchery and Natural Fall Chinook Salmon in the Snake River : Annual Report 1999.

“…Vigg et al (1991) suggested that many factors influence consumption rates of smallmouth bass, but water temperature was considered the single most important factor. Smallmouth bass exist in water temperatures ranging from 12 to 31°C (Ferguson 1958;Barans and Tubbs 1973) and the final preferendum is approximately 28°C (Coble 1975). Smallmouth bass become active in water temperatures >10°C (Munther 1970) and begin actively feeding at approximately 15°C (Carlander 1977).…”