EFFECTS OF FOUR ACCLIMATION TEMPERATURES ON THE OXYGEN CONSUMPTION RATES, RESPIRED ENERGY, AND THERMAL COEFFICIENT OF MALABAR BLOOD SNAPPER Lutjanus malabaricus (BLOCH & SCHNEIDER, 1801) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

We tested the oxygen consumption rates (OCR), energy, and thermal coefficient of juvenile Lutjanus malabaricus (4.53±1.14 g) at four temperatures of 22, 26, 30 and 34 °C. During 30 days of experimental period fish were reared at 5 nos. tank^-1 at 30 psu with three replicates in intermittent flow respirometers in a recirculatory system under laboratory conditions. As expected, oxygen consumption rates in the L. malabaricus 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 (2.02) and 26-30 °C (1.82) respectively. Final preferred temperature (thermal coefficient) estimated from the Q₁₀ value was between 26 and 30 °C. The determination of OCR, respired energy, and thermal coefficient of this fish in laboratory conditions provides valuable information on the oxygen requirement of these fish in an aquacultural setting. This bioengineering information can be used for designing and sizing a rearing facility for the intensive culture of L. malabaricus.