Inferring the metabolic rate of zebrafish in still water from mouth opening and pectoral-fin beating

The inference of metabolic rate from behavioural measurements is an open question in fish biology. Here, we put forward a predictive model of zebrafish (Danio rerio) metabolic rate in still water from mouth opening and pectoral-fin beating. Our analysis revisits experimental results published in this journal, reprocessed to include information about the pectoral-fin beating. Using Cobb-Douglas function, we identify a positive (negative) correlation between metabolic rate and mouth opening amplitude (pectoral-fin amplitude), pointing at the interplay between buccal pumping and pectoral-fin stabilization.