A study of metabolic rates of Poecilia reticulata Peters under different conditions

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of this work was to investigate the factors that affect the metabolic rates of guppies, Poecilia reticulata Peters, by measuring the oxygen uptakes of guppies individually or in groups in closed vessels to simulate the actual packaging condition. Metabolic rates of guppies increased with the increase of temperatures. Anaesthetic, 2‐phenoxyethanoll suppressed the oxygen consumption rates. Grouped fish also showed lower metabolic rates than individual fish. Light and starvation did not produce any effect. The pH of the water, ammonium and carbon dioxide concentrations had significant effects on the metabolic rates of guppies. Copyright © 1993, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved