Thermal tolerance traits of redfin velvetfish Paracentropogon rubripinnis evaluated using their caudal fin cells

The thermal tolerance of redfin velvetfish, Paracentropogon rubripinnis, a marine fish often used in experiments, was evaluated by assaying primary culture cells and free cells obtained from their caudal fins and compared with the whole body tolerance values. Primary culture cells and free cells assayed separately showed similar results. A significant correlation was observed between the in vivo and the in vitro thermal tolerances in this fish (p < 0.01). These results suggest that the primary culture cells and free cells from the caudal fin clip of the fish could be used for evaluating genetic variation and physiological mechanisms of thermal tolerance traits in further selective breeding studies.