Aquatic Oxygen Uptake of the Freshwater Dual Breathing Featherback, Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) in Relation to Body Weight

Abstract

Oxygen uptake (VO2) through the gills in relation to body weight has been studied in Notopterus notopterus at 24.0±1.0ºC under continuous water flow system. With gradual increase in body weight from 5.10 to 122.33 g, the oxygen uptake increased from 1.164-3.975 mlO2.h–1. The log-log plot between the oxygen uptake per unit time and body weight gave a straight line with the slope ‘b’ value of 0.421. The relationship between the two variables was found to be highly significant (r= 0.986; p<0.001). However, the weight specific oxygen uptake decreased from 228.36 to 32.49 with increase in body weight from 5.10 to 122.33 g. A straight line with slope ‘b’ value of   -0.629 was obtained when plotted on log-log coordinates, showing a highly significant negative correlation (r= 0.985; p<0.001).DOI: 10.3126/on.v8i1.4320