Development and validation of a bioenergetics model for juvenile and adult burbot

Oxygen consumption of juvenile and adult burbot Lota Iota was measured in an intermittent-flow respirometer to determine the effect of temperature and fish body mass on metabolic rate. These results were combined with data from earlier experiments and the 'Wisconsin bioenergetics' model was constructed. The model was validated under laboratory conditions by comparing observed and predicted food consumption and growth of burbot fed on dead vendace Coregonus albula. There was a good correspondence between observed and estimated growth and food consumption under experimental conditions: the mean absolute per cent errors of growth and food consumption were 4.8 and 24.0%. Estimated values with t…