Effects of water flow and water temperature on the growth of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu and largemouth bass M. salmoides.

摘要

The effects of water flow and temperature on the growth of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui, and largemouth bass, M. salmoides, were examined during 14-day replicate trials in artificial ponds between July and September 2001. An insignificant difference was observed in the specific growth in body weight of both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass between the ponds with flowing water and those without flowing water, when prey fish were given. The ratio of growth rate of smallmouth bass to largemouth bass was significantly larger in the experimental periods when the water temperature in the ponds was relatively low (21.5-24.0 degrees C). When no prey fish was given, largemouth bass in ponds with flowing water showed a significantly larger reduction in the growth rate, although an insignificant difference was observed in the growth rate of smallmouth bass between the ponds with flowing water and those without flowing water. The results showed that smallmouth bass had a relatively higher adaptability to water flow and low water temperature than largemouth bass.