Oxygen consumption and bioenergetics of the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) : implications for culture

Abstract

Aspects of oxygen consumption and bioenergetics of the Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. ) were studied under laboratory conditions. Resting oxygen consumption rate was monitored over 36 hour periods in Atlantic halibut while held individually in open system respirometers. Routine oxygen consumption rate was determined in small populations of tank held Atlantic halibut over 24 hour periods, through modification of tank systems as open system respirometers. Values for resting and routine oxygen consumption in this species were quantified and models Produced enabling the prediction of the energetic cost of homeostasis and spontaneousa ctivity for a range of fish size from 53g to 5861g, at temperatures of 6, 10 and 14°C. These results were ftirther used to form the basis of an energy budget equation for this species. PhotoPeriod influences on the periodicity of respiratory rhythm in both resting and routine oxygen consumption trials were determined through analysis of data recorded throughout the 24 hour daily period. The results indicated a cyclic respiratory rhythm, with peak oxygen consumption often observed nocturnally. The relevance of these results to culture of this organism are discussed. Post-prandial oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were measured in small populations of tank held Atlantic halibut, these results contributing further information to the partitioning of energy within the metabolic and excretory components of the energy budget equation. Values for resting, routine and postprandial oxygen consumption in the Atlantic halibut were found to be low in comparison to roundfish species, but corresponded closely with literature data produced for other species of temperate marine flatfish. Activity patterns in small populations of Atlantic halibut were monitored over 24 hour periods in a specially constructed film unit. The results of this work showed dualistic patterns of activity over the diurnal cycle. Further elucidation of the energy budget was achieved through the determination of the metabolic costs of activity in the tank environment. Atlantic halibut were observed to remain at rest for periods of between 76% and 94% of any 24 hour period, with the time at rest dependent on fish size and stocking density. One 28 day trial was undertaken in which the components of the energy budget were measured simultaneously, and the balance of the budget investigated. Oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion, growth, feed consumption and faecal production were monitored within a purpose built experimental unit, and these values finther applied to the construction of an energy budget model. Finally, the oxygen consumption data of this study was ftirther applied to produce a model quantifying the water requirements of this species in a single-pass tank system, for the intensive culture of this species in the tank environment. Further development of these figures allowed the quantification of the pumping costs in an Atlantic halibut ongrowing tank system, and these figures were incorporated into a simple economic model. The results present some of the first bioenergetic data produced for this species, and this is an important step towards the development of an Atlantic halibut farming industry.