Development of swimming abilities in reef fish larvae

Abstract

Recent studies have revealed that reef fish larvae have excellent sustained swimming capabilities and considerable potential for modifying their dispersal patterns by active swimming. However, these studies concentrate solely on the late pelagic phase. We examined the development of swimming abilities from hatching through to settlement in 3 reef fish species (Pomacentrus amboinensis, Sphaeramia nematoptera, Amphiprion melanopus). Larval rearing provided larvae at all stages of development. Experiments were conducted in flow chambers designed for measuring the critical and sustained swimming capability of young larvae. In all 3 species, critical swimming ability increased steadily with age, size, relative propulsive area and developmental stage of the larvae. In contrast, sustained swimming ability showed a marked inflection during development. Differences among species throughout development appear to reflect variations in the developmental patterns of the 3 species. Propulsive area was highly correlated with swimming ability and may prove useful for estimating swimming capabilities among species. The results suggest that some species have the potential to actively modify their dispersal patterns from an early age.

The use of morphometric analysis to predict the swimming efficiency of two Neotropical long-distance migratory species in fish passage

“…Ohlberger et al (2006) verified that Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 has better swimming ability due to its morphological characteristics (greater muscle and propulsion areas), suggesting that superior swimming capacity is based primarily on the development of muscles and other traits related to fish locomotion. Studies by Fisher et al (2000) showed similar results for the three reef fish species Pomacentrus amboinensis Bleeker, 1868, Sphaeramia nematoptera (Bleeker, 1856) and Amphiprion melanopus Bleeker, 1852. In these species, the critical swimming speed was positively correlated with the propulsion area.…”

“…In addition, this topic is relevant to the acquisition of food and the avoidance of predators (Videler, 1993), as well as to migration success (Fisher & Bellwood, 2003). Many morphological traits of the body of a fish are considered important for defining the swimming capacity, including the aspect and muscle ratios (Sambilay, 1990;Fisher et al, 2000), caudal peduncle depth factor (Webb & Weihs, 1986), propulsive ratio (Fisher et al, 2000), caudal fin length ratio (Nanami, 2007), and fineness ratio (Bainbridge, 1960;Webb, 1975;Blake, 1983;Scarnecchia, 1988). The body shape and the fin size can accurately indicate the behavior, swimming mode and habitat preferences of fish (Keast & Webb, 1966;Webb, 1984), providing a more accurate understanding of the fish's body shape and its structure and functions (Winemiller, 1991).…”

Direct evidence of a biophysical retention mechanism for coral reef fish larvae

“…The onset of vertical migration behavior is initiated at flexion, which starts as early as 5 d after hatch for S. partitus (Paris-Limouzy 2001). At that stage, the gas bladder is already formed and active control by larva of this particular family is tangible (see Fisher et al [2000] for development of critical swimming speed). Tracers are then moved into the next 20-m layer every 5-d until they reach the last layer (80-100 m).…”

Modelling the dispersal of riverine fish larvae: from a raster-based analysis of movement patterns within a racetrack flume to a rheoreaction-based correlated random walk (RCRW) model approach

“…Recent studies of fish larvae highlight the impact that active swimming behaviour has on their dispersal patterns in both freshwater (Lechner et al 2014b(Lechner et al , 2016Schludermann et al 2012) and marine environments (Leis 2006;Fisher et al 2000; Leis and Carson-Ewart 1997). Dispersal modes of fish during the crucial larval phase of their life cycle is an important factor in recruitment and is governed by abiotic triggers (e.g., hydrology and hydraulics: Pavlov (1994); and discharge: Lechner et al 2017;Korman et al (2004); Reichard and Jurajda (2004)), in combination with biotic triggers (e.g., physiology and behaviour: Gaudin and Sempeski (2001); Heggenes and Dokk (2001);Pavlov (1994)).…”