Allometric relationship between oxygen consumption and body weight of mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis

The allometric relationship between body size and oxygen consumption of Gambusia affinis at 28 degree C was determined under controlled experimental conditions, using a manometric respirometer. The allometric exponent (b-value) was 0.64 plus or minus 0.02S.E (n = 51). Oxygen consumption was not influenced by any time-related factors during the 17 days of measurements. Variance between replicated oxygen consumption trials on individual fish was negligible. Specific oxygen consumption rates of several G. affinis at 28 degree C that were determined by using a sealed vessel and O sub(2) electrode respirometry method were similar to the rates measured by the manometric respirometry method in similar-sized G. affinis).