| | Definition: | | Swimming speeds of stream fish vary from essentially zero to over six meters per second, depending upon species, size, and activity. Three categories of performance are generally recognized:
- burst (darting) speed: The speed that a fish can maintain for a very short time, generally 5 to 10 seconds, without gross variation in performance. Burst speed is employed for feeding or escape, and represents maximum swimming speed.
- cruising speed: The speed that a fish can maintain for an extended period of time without fatigue. This implies a lack of stress, and is the maximum speed traveled by undisturbed individuals.
- Sustained (prolonged) speed: The speed that a fish can maintain for a prolonged period, but which ultimately results in fatigue. At this speed the fish is under some degree of stress.
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Biology Dictionary