Sustainable Swimming Speeds of Striped Bass Larvae

Abstract
Sustainable swimming speeds, defined as speeds maintained in 1-h tests, were measured for three size-classes (6–6.9 mm, 7–7.9 mm, and 8–8.9 mm) of larval striped bass Morone saxatilis. Probit analysis was used to find failure velocities (the water velocity at which 50% of the larvae fail to sustain swimming speed) and confidence intervals for each size-class. Failure velocities were 1.7, 2.1, and 3.0 cm/s for 6–6.9-mm, 7–7.9-mm, and 8–8.9-mm larvae, respectively. There was a general improvement in swimming performance with age, There was no difference in swimming ability due to the presence or absence of an inflated swim bladder. Striped bass larvae approached the upper range of swimming speeds recorded for other larval fishes and reached speeds of 3–4 body lengths/s, which are comparable to adult fish speeds. The relatively high speeds attained by striped bass larvae may improve feeding success rates by increasing the volume of water larvae are capable of searching for food.

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