Abstract

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. Highlights ► Influence of water temperature on growth, feeding rate and functional response tested on juvenile common carp Cyprinus carpio. ► Between 16 and 28 °C, water temperature had a profound influence on these parameters. ► Temperatures between 20 and 24 °C produced the highest foraging rates and fastest growth in the carp. ► These outputs corroborate studies on the effects of temperature on aspects of carp life history in the wild.