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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #194625

Title: Design and Testing of A Closed Stirring-respirometer for Measuring Oxygen Consumption of Channel Catfish Eggs

Author
item Torrans, Eugene

Submitted to: North American Journal of Aquaculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2006
Publication Date: 4/2/2007
Citation: Torrans, E.L. 2007. Design and Testing of A Closed Stirring-respirometer for Measuring Oxygen Consumption of Channel Catfish Eggs. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 69:185-189.

Interpretive Summary: A small chamber was designed to hold a sample of channel catfish eggs while their oxygen uptake (metabolism) was measured. This data will be used to improve the efficiency of commercial catfish hatcheries by optimizing oxygen availability to the eggs.

Technical Abstract: A closed stirring-respirometer was designed to allow for agitation of small samples of channel catfish egg masses while measuring oxygen consumption. Egg mass samples ranging in size from 15-46 g were placed on a platform above a magnetic spin bar; the degree of agitation was controlled with a magnetic stir plate. Dissolved oxygen concentration and temperature were measured with a luminescent dissolved oxygen sensor and meter. While the respirometer could not be used with sac fry, it worked very well with eggs. The respirometer was used to determine standard metabolic rate and critical oxygen concentration on 36 egg mass samples ranging in age from zero to five days post-fertilization.