• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.235-242
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• 2021

The present study investigated the critical thermal maxima (CT_max) of red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara under different acclimation temperatures (T_acc). Fish were acclimated at 24℃, 28℃, and 32℃ water temperature for 2 weeks. Water temperature was increased at a rate of 1℃/h and CT_max level was measured following the critical thermal methodology (Paladino et al., 1980). The results showed that CT_max values of E. akaara were 35.61℃, 36.83℃, and 37.65℃ for fish acclimated at 24℃, 28℃, and 32℃, respectively. The acclimation response ratio (ARR) was 0.26. The CT_max values were significantly correlated with body size. Collectively, it is said that the CT_max value of red-spotted grouper can be affected by different adaptation temperature (24℃, 28℃, and 32℃) and the fish acclimated to a higher temperature has a higher CT_max level. Besides, the CT_max value of 35.61℃-37.65℃ indicating the upper thermal tolerance limit for E. akaara under different T_acc (24℃, 28℃, and 32℃). Understanding the thermal tolerance of E. akaara is of ecological importance in the conservation of this species.