Thermal stress effects on energy resource allocation and oxygen consumption rate in the juvenile sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1833)

The OCR revealed an enhanced metabolism at warmer temperature conditions, throughout the entire experimental period. Likewise, the warm exposed animals were shifting their energy turnover from a more anaerobic to a more aerobic state, indicated by changes in LDH and IDH activities, and showed increased foraging activity at all times. The combined outcome of CEA, OCR and activities of energy metabolism related enzymes indicates, that the increased metabolic activity in juvenile H. scabra, as response to warmer temperature, was well within the homeostatic range. Thus, contrary to our expectations, a rearing temperature of up to 33 °C might presumably be favourable for the aquaculture of H. scabra.