Influence of body weight and temperature on growth rates of Arctic charr, <i>Salvelinus alpinus</i> (L.)

Abstract

When reared for a period of 6 months at a temperature of 10°C Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus , increased in weight from 18 g to approximately 135 g. Specific growth rates decreased as the fish increased in size and the relationship between size and growth rate could be described by the equation: image where G w is specific growth rate and W is fish weight in grams. Temperature effects upon growth were examined using previously published data. Below the optimum growth temperature, the growth rate of a fish of given size could be predicted using the equation: image where T is the rearing temperature. Rates of growth of Arctic charr were as high as those reported for other salmonid species reared under similar conditions. Preliminary results suggested that growth rates of charr may be lower in salt water than in fresh water.