THE RECOVERY OF SWIMMING PERFORMANCE OF JUVENILE SCHIZOTHORAX PRENANTI AFTER FATIGUE

The recovery of swimming performance of Schizothorax prenanti (Body length: 14.017.5 cm, body mass: 39.665.6 g) which were provided by a wild animal breeding base in the National Geopark in Shennongjia, China, were studied by a stepped velocity test in swimming performance equipment (an intermittent-flow respirometer). The fish were examined 20 days and 40 days after juvenile Schizothorax prenanti swam and became fatigued. Results indicated: (1) The critical swimming speed (Ucrit) of Schizothorax prenanti in 20 days was lower than speed at the beginning, which indicate that the recovery of swimming performance was worse 20 days later. However, the critical swimming speed was improved 40 days later, appearing similar to the beginning, which indicated that the recovery situation was better 40 days later. (2) Swimming efficiency decreased after the fish became fatigued, and was unable to return to normal 40 days later. The speed exponent of 40 days later was lower than 20 days, and swimming efficiency of 40 days later was higher than 20 days, however, the recovery of swimming efficiency still was worse 40 days later. (3) The recovery capability of swimming performance did not return to normal situation 40 days later, but excess post-exercise oxygen cost (EPOC) was not unstable, therefore fatigue has little effect on the recovery capability. (4) The anaerobic of 20 days and 40 days occurred both earlier than the first tested time, which illustrated that fatigue has a sustained effect on aerobic capability. (5) Fatigue has no obvious effect on ecological behavior. This study will provide basic information for building fishways and be great meaningful for biodiversity conservation on depth.