Water temperature and fish growth

• The rate of biochemical processes in fish is temperature-dependent.
• With the increase in temperature, oxygen consumption increases and the solubility of oxygen in water decreases.
• The release of nutrients by the decomposition of organic matter at the bottom is more at higher temperatures with a consequent increase in the nutrient status of water.
• Species might tolerate temperatures of 5-42⁰C, but the range for maximum growth might be from 25-30⁰
• Based on temperature tolerance fish are divided into two groups:

1. Cold water fishes: The optimum temperature range is 10-20⁰C. Eg: Rainbow trout, Snow trout.
2. Warm water fishes: The optimum temperature range is 20-32⁰C. Eg: Chinese and Indigenous major carp, catfishes, and Tilapia.