M. Joanne Morgan

Ration level and temperature preference of American plaice

This study examined the effect of ration level on the temperature preference of American plaice, Hippoglossoides platessoides. One group of fish was maintained on high rations while another group was tested following 6 weeks on reduced rations. Fish on reduced rations selected significantly lower temperatures than those on high rations, however the difference was not great (a mode of 1.2°C for fish on reduced rations versus a mode of 1.8°C for fish on high rations). Further depriving the fish by starving them for 4 weeks following 10 weeks on reduced rations did not result in any further reduction in selected temperature. Although fish in this study were on low rations or starved for an extended period of time this did not result in a large change in the temperature selected compared to high ration fish.