OXYGEN-CONSUMPTION OF LARVAL FLOUNDER PARALICHTHYS-OLIVACEUS MEASURED BY AN IMPROVED WATER BOTTLE METHOD

Oxygen consumption in the developmental larvae of the flounder Paralichthys olivaceus was measured by an improved water bottle method. Syringes were used as a volume variable respiration chamber. Significant differences were observed in mass specific oxygen consumption among the early morning measurement at 10-day intervals. The formula M = aW(b) was adopted, where M and W were metabolic rate and body mass. Two deflection points were detected in the metabolic exponent (b). Metabolic exponent for the larvae on the third phase was calculated to be 0.7135. Mass-specific metabolic rate (M/W) of the larvae on the first phase decreased with an increase of the body mass, however, there was no evident relationship between the morphological changes and metabolic rate.