Physiology of Finfish and Shellfish

2.2.16. Cardiac flow

The ventricular pumping rhythm includes the systolic (contraction and ejection)/ diastolic (relaxation and filling) rhythmic flow in the ventral aorta; The systolic/ diastolic wave form of pressure is also detectable in the dorsal aorta, eventhough the branchial vascular network of the gills drops the blood pressure by ¼ to 1/3. Body undulations during swimming have also implicated in blood flow in higher fishes.