Comparison of oxygen consumption patterns between wild and cultured black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli

ABSTRACT:   To compare metabolic activity rhythms between wild and cultured black rockfish Sebastes schlegeli , we measured long-term oxygen consumption rates (OCR) using an automatic intermittent-flow respirometer under constant temperature and darkness. Oxygen consumption rates peaked among wild black rockfish at 12.4 h intervals, which corresponded to a circatidal rhythm. The wild fish were probably exhibiting responses that corresponded to tidal events in their natural environment. However, when captured wild black rockfish were kept under laboratory conditions (12 h light [L] : 12 h dark [D]) for 30 days, the OCR shifted to a circadian rhythm (24.1–24.9 h). The OCR of cultured black rockfish that had been reared in a tank for 9 months peaked at approximately 24 h intervals, corresponding to a circadian rhythm. The results of this study suggest that the differences in OCR patterns between wild and cultured fish were mainly due to differences in the environmental conditions between tidal and non-tidal habitats.