The Effects of Water Flow Speed on Swimming Capacity and Energy Metabolism in Adult Amur Grayling (Thymallus grubii)

The present study aimed to explore whether water flow velocity could affect the swimming ability and overall energy metabolism of wild Amur grayling (Thymallus grubii). Swimming performance was assessed by measuring critical swimming speed (Ucrit), burst speed (Uburst), and oxygen consumption rate (MO2) based on the stepped velocity test method. Our results showed that the absolute values of Ucrit and Uburst tended to increase with body length. In contrast, the relative values of Ucrit and Uburst tended to decrease and increase, respectively. MO2 in Amur grayling was elevated with increasing velocity, suggesting relatively high swimming efficiency. We also measured the biochemical indices related to energy metabolism. Lactate dehydrogenase, hexokinase, and pyruvate kinase activities significantly increased (p < 0.05). Hepatic glycogen, glucose, and muscle glycogen contents decreased with the increasing trend of velocity (p < 0.05), the lactic acid contents of the blood and muscles increased significantly with the increase in velocities (p < 0.05), and changes in creatine phosphate content showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). The results not only denote the relationship between body size and swimming speed but also show the effects of water flow velocity on energy metabolism in Amur grayling. The results provide basic data for the construction of fish passage.