A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ACTIVITY AND OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF THE GOLDFISH, AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE MEASUREMENT OF RESPIRATORY METABOLISM IN FISHES

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Abstract
The activity and O2 consumption of goldfish (Carassius auratus), measured simultaneously by means of a recording activity detector combined with a continuous flow system, proved to be very closely related. Inasmuch as the detector makes it possible to select periods during which the fish is inactive, the method appears to be applicable to the measurement of basal metabolic rate in fishes, which heretofore has been difficult because of uncontrolled movement. The patterns and rates of activity were variable and were related to food, light and minor disturbances. Some individuals were diurnally active and noctur-ally quiescent, others showed the opposite pattern, and still others remained arhythmic during the periods of observation. The activity rhythms seemed to be closely related to light, but the rate of activity could not be held constant by means of continuous light or darkness. It is concluded that in studies of the respiratory metabolism of the goldfish it is not sufficient merely to assume that the fish is quiescent or at a constant level of activity under exptl. conditions, or that 2 fish will show the same behavior when receiving the same treatment. Actual measurements of activity should be used in the interpretation of data on O2 consumption.