Direct measurements of metabolism, activity and feeding behaviour of pike, Esox Zucius L., in the wild, by the use of heart rate telemetry

Heart rate telemetry records of up to 5 days duration were obtained from pike living in Lochs Kinord and Davan, Scotland. Applying metabolic rate correlations it was found that mean metabolic rate (R) was 1.5 times standard metabolic rate (R a ), The fish rarely worked near their metabolic limits. Activity metabolism (R a ) was much higher than estimates based on mean swimming speed and comprised up to 10% of R. Most activity metabolism was the result of localized bursts of activity. Less than 10% of activity showed evidence of oxygen debt. Specific Dynamic Action or feeding metabolism (R f ) comprised 15–25% of R. Food intake estimated from heart rate was 1.5% wet body weight day −1 , consumed in the form of small items captured during the day and digested during the afternoon and night.