Effects of acclimation temperatures on the respiration physiology and thermal coefficient of Malabar blood snapper

This study tested the oxygen consumption rates (OCR), energy, and thermal coefficient of juvenile Lutjanus malabaricus (60 fish, size: 4.53 ± 1.14 g) at four temperatures of 22, 26, 30 and 34 °C. During 30 days of experimental period 5 fish tank^-1 were reared at four temperatures with three replicates in intermittent flow respirometers in a recirculatory system under laboratory conditions. As expected, oxygen consumption rates increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 1.39 ± 0.07 to 3.11 ± 0.09 ml O₂  h^-1 with an increase in the exposed temperature from 22 to 34 °C. The corresponding respired energy values also increased from 27.59 ± 1.03 to 61.78 ± 0.66 Jh^-1 at 22 and 34 °C respectively. The maximum and minimum temperature quotients (Q₁₀) were observed between 22-26 °C (2.02) and 26-30 °C (1.82) respectively. Final preferred temperature (thermal coefficient) estimated between 26 and 30 °C. This bioengineering information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of L. malabaricus.