Donald E. Hoss

We simulated thermal increases encountered by postlarval and juvenile estuarine fishes entrained in power plant cooling systems. Three methods were used to measure the effects of thermal shock on these fishes: (1) critical thermal maximum (CTM); (2) changes in routine oxygen consumption; and (3) survival after exposure to sudden increases in temperature for various periods of time. For menhaden, spot, and pinfish acclimated at 15° C, CTM values were 29.4, 31.0, and 31.0 respectively. Oxygen consumption of menhaden, spot, and pinfish, increased as we raised the temperature in 5°...

A flowing-water respirometer was used to measure oxygen consumption of five species of estuarine fish: pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides; black sea bass, Centropristes striutus; Atlantic croaker, Micropogon undulatus; oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau; and mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus. The relation between the amount of oxygen consumed and body size, in general, may be expressed by the formula Q = a Weightk, where a and k are constants derived from experimental data for a species. Some investigators have stated that k values do not vary significantly among species of fish. In my investigations...