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Journal of Experimental Biology 166,33-46 (1992)
Published by Company of Biologists 1992

Power Output of Two Sizes of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo Salar) at their Maximum Sustained Swimming Speeds

J. TANG ¹ and C. S. WARDLE ¹

¹ SOAFD Marine Laboratory Victoria Road, PO Box 101, Aberdeen, UK

The maximum sustained swimming speeds (U_ms) for large (0.45 m long) and small (0.15 m) Atlantic salmon were respectively 0.91ms^-1 and 0.54ms^-1. Video and cin6 films of fish swimming close to U_ms were analysed to obtain variables required for the application of two hydrodynamic models, those of Lighthill and Yates, to determine the mean thrust (T) and mean power output (P) at these swimming speeds (U) close to U_ms. A large fish (‘Salmon’) and a small fish (‘Smolt’) were selected for analysis. For salmon using Lighthill's model, T=0.30N and P=0.26W, and using Yates' model, T=0.28N and P=0.25W (U/=0.87ms^-1=0.96U_ms). For smolt using Lighthill's model, T=0.0052N and P=0.0019W, and using Yates' model, T=0.0065 N and P=0.0024W (U=0.37ms^-1=0.69U_ms). The power output for smolt swimming at 0.69U_ms was corrected to that required to swim at U_ms, giving P=0.0059W (Lighthill's model) and P=0.0074W (Yates' model).

At U_ms it was assumed that all the red muscle was used. Two fish were selected from each size group and cross-sectioned to estimate their red muscle masses. Using a maximum mass-specific power output of 5–8 W kg^- for slow red muscle fibres allowed us to calculate that the large and small fish have a power output capacity of 0.125–0.3 W and 0.007–0.019 W, respectively.

The power output values at U_ms derived from the different approaches for the large (0.25–0.26 W) and small (0.0059–0.0074 W) salmon agree closely. Effects of scaling are discussed.

Key words: Salmo salar, fish, muscle, swimming, power output

Accepted on January 13, 1992

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