THE RESTING METADOLIC RATE OF THE COMMON CATFISH(SILURUS ASOTUS, /i)AS A FUNCTION OF BODY WEIGHT, TEMPERATURE AND SEX

The resting metabolic rates of 127 common catfish(Silurus asotus L.)weighing 22.6 452.4g were measured by use of a continuous-flow respirometer. Mean weight-specific metabolic rates at 10,15,20,25 and 30C were 22.99,58.55,79.20,109.29 and 123.89mgO2/kg/h,respectively. Values of the mass exponent(b)in the relationship between metabolic rate(Ms)and body mass(W)(Ms=aWb)decreased with incre-asing temperature. Values of the temperature exponent(B)in the relationship bet-ween weight-specific metabolic rate(M)and temperature(T)(M=ATb)decreased with increasing body weight.The multiple regression equation describing the ef-fects of body weight(W:kg)and temperature(T:℃)on resting metabolic rate(Ms:mgO2/fish/h)is:Ms=2.031T1.017W(1.276-0.1701lnT).The resting metabolic rate of female fish were higher significantly than that of male fish at 25℃.