Effects of temperature on the foraging and growth rate of juvenile common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Temperature had a significant and positive effect on the foraging and growth of juvenile common carp Cyprinus carpio (90-105 mm) between 16 and 28 °C. Metrics measured were feeding rate (items s⁻¹), functional response (feeding rate as a function of food density), specific growth rate and incremental fork lengths. Experiments that were conducted at 16, 20, 24 and 28 °C and used two food types revealed a strong thermal influence on foraging, with the highest feeding rates achieved at 24 °C. Functional responses also revealed optimal feeding rates in relation to food density occurred at temperatures >20 °C. Specific growth rate and incremental fork lengths were depressed at 16 and 28 °C when compared to those achieved at 20 and 24 °C. These outputs suggest an increase in foraging and growth of C. carpio according to a thermal gradient that were maximal between 24 and 28 °C.