Energy Budget of Coregonid (Coregonus spp.) Fish Growth, Metabolism and Reproduction

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Data on pollan (Coregonus autumnalis pollan Thompson) in Lough Neagh, N. Ireland [UK] and vendace (C. albula L.) in the Mazurian lakes, Poland, provided the material for the quantitative evaluation of energy allocation to fish growth, metabolism and reproduction. The annual growth pattern of these two coregonid species differs considerably due mostly to their distribution and lake water temperatures. In summer, when most growth occurs in vendace, respiratory energy contributes 41-49% of energy consumed, whereas for female pollan the corresponding value is 51-66%. Energy partitioning into reproductive tissue attained its maximum before spawning in November, 23% of energy consumed in vendace and 21-27% in pollan (3-4 yr old females). However, such expression of reproductive effort in coregonid fish is misleading since both species lose substantial amounts of theire body reserves in November, 15.2% in the case of pollan, 38.0% in vendace. It appears that in vendace, lake water temperatures in summer are very favourable for high growth without resulting in marked increase of metabolic requirements. In the case of pollan, the prolonged growing season permits increased consumption and diminishes body energy loss due to the development of the ovary, but high water temperatures appear unfavourable for growth in summer. A comparison of the allocation of energy pattern to growth, metabolism and reproduction between coregonid and other species of fish it presented.