Using a Laboratory-Based Growth Model to Estimate Mass- and Temperature-Dependent Growth Parameters across Populations of Juvenile Chinook Salmon

• Published in: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (1900) Vol. 144; no. 2; pp. 331 - 336
• Main Authors: Perry, Russell W, Plumb, John M, W. Huntington, Charles
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01-03-2015
• Subjects: allometry; diet; fish; growth models; juveniles; meta-analysis; Oncorhynchus tshawytscha; temperature
• ISSN: 1548-8659; 0002-8487; 1548-8659
• DOI: 10.1080/00028487.2014.996667

To estimate the parameters that govern mass- and temperature-dependent growth, we conducted a meta-analysis of existing growth data from juvenile Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha that were fed an ad libitum ration of a pelleted diet. Although the growth of juvenile Chinook Salmon has been well studied, research has focused on a single population, a narrow range of fish sizes, or a narrow range of temperatures. Therefore, we incorporated the Ratkowsky model for temperature-dependent growth into an allometric growth model; this model was then fitted to growth data from 11 data sources representing nine populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon. The model fit the growth data well, explaining 98% of the variation in final mass. The estimated allometric mass exponent (b) was 0.338 (SE = 0.025), similar to estimates reported for other salmonids. This estimate of b will be particularly useful for estimating mass-standardized growth rates of juvenile Chinook Salmon. In addition, the lower thermal limit, optimal temperature, and upper thermal limit for growth were estimated to be 1.8°C (SE = 0.63°C), 19.0°C (SE = 0.27°C), and 24.9°C (SE = 0.02°C), respectively. By taking a meta-analytical approach, we were able to provide a growth model that is applicable across populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon receiving an ad libitum ration of a pelleted diet. Received May 20, 2014; accepted December 4, 2014