Near-maximally swimming schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) have a greater metabolic capacity, and slightly lower thermal tolerance, than when tested at rest.

To assess the relationship among various measures of thermal tolerance and performance suggested for use in fish, we determined the critical thermal maximum (CTmax), critical swimming speed (Ucrit), maximum thermal tolerance while swimming [CTSmax] and realistic aerobic scope (ASR) of juvenile schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus). Their CTSmax (37.5±0.1°C) was only slightly lower than their CTmax (38.9±0.1°C) and this is probably because their maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and ASR during the former test were ∼42 and 65% higher, respectively. Furthermore, we did not observe a transition to unsteady (i.e. anaerobically fueled) swimming in the CTSmax test as we did in the Ucrit protocol. These data strongly suggest that thermal tolerance tests on fishes whose lifestyle involves schooling or sustained activity should be performed at ecologically relevant swimming speeds. Our results do not support the hypothesis that failure during a CTSmax test is due to a fish's inability to meet its tissue oxygen demands.
Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests.
(© 2024. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)