Effects of Acclimation and Acute Temperature Experience on the Swimming Speed of Juvenile Coho Salmon

Abstract

Swimming performance of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), 7.5–9.5 cm in total length, was investigated in a stamina tunnel, generally at 3 C intervals of temperature over the range of thermal tolerance.Optimum (ultimate maximum) performance (5.8 lengths/sec) occurred at a combination of acclimation and test temperatures near 20 C. A declining ridge of sub-optimum performance (test temperature ridge) was found at acclimation temperatures below 20 C; maximum performance at each acclimation temperature level was found on the ridge at test temperatures higher than those of acclimation. Conversely, maximum performance at given test temperatures occurred on a second ridge (acclimation temperature ridge) at acclimation temperatures near those of testing. There was an apparent shift in location of the acclimation temperature ridge, indicative of seasonal performance compensation and improved capacity to perform at low acclimation temperatures during the winter period. At test temperatures below 5 C, maximum performance occurred at acclimation temperatures of about 6–8 C. Lowest performance within the zone of thermal tolerance was associated with acclimation and test temperatures of 2 C.