JOHNSON, K K; LOWE, C G; California State University Long Beach; California State University Long Beach: Standard and routine metabolism of the kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus

As top-level predators, kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus) feed on a variety of organisms such as squid, octopi, crabs, shrimps and other fishes, and thus are important in shaping the dynamics of the kelp bed community. Standard and routine metabolism was measured for kelp bass of varying sizes in a static respirometer over periods ranging from 2-24 hrs. Mass specific metabolic rates were determined from 18 fish ranging from 0.65 g to 772 g at 18 � 1°C. The average SMR for kelp bass recruits (1.84 � 0.134 g) is 149 mg O₂ kg ^-1 h^-1, while the average SMR for the adults and subadults is 64.9 mg O₂ kg ^-1 h^-1. No RMR was observed for kelp bass recruits; however, adults and subadults had an average RMR of 86.5 mg O₂ kg ^-1 h^-1. There was no significant difference in average SMR of fish between day and nighttime periods. Metabolic rates of kelp bass were used to develop an energy budget for two populations of fish located inside and outside a marine reserve based on size-abundance estimates. Although both populations possessed the same numbers of fish, the population within the reserve had significantly larger kelp bass. Using the mass specific standard metabolic relationship derived for kelp bass, the population with larger fish burned at minimum 73% more energy than the population of smaller fish.