Measurements of Growth and Consumption of Sauger (Stizostedion canadense): Implication for Fish Energetics Studies

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Abstract
The energy budget of sauger (S. canadense), in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee [USA], was studied over a 17-mo. period. Field determinations of consumption and laboratory determinations of metabolism were incorporated into the balanced energy equation of Winberg to predict growth in energy value of sauger in age-classes I+ and II+. The equation included energetic costs of specific dynamic action and the metabolic efficiency penalty of metabolizing body energy stores. Observed and predicted growth during the warm months, March through Oct., agreed withih 2.5-9.6% for the I+ and II+ age-classes, respectively. Observed and predicted growth over the winter for the only age-class modeled, the I+, did not agree. High food consumption during winter did not result in the amount of growth expected, suggesting that the physiological assumptions of the balanced energy equation are invalid for describing the winter energetics of sauger. The potential error in inferring consumption from growth and metabolism is emphasized.

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