Exposure to elevated carbon dioxide does not impair short‐term swimming behaviour or shelter‐seeking in a predatory coral‐reef fish

Abstract

Adult bluespotted rockcod Cephalopholis cyanostigma, a coral-reef grouper, were acclimated to either ambient (mean ± s.d. 406 ± 21 μatm; 1 atmos = 101325 Pa) or high pCO (945 ± 116 μatm) conditions in a laboratory for 8-9 days, then released at the water surface directly above a reef (depth c. 5 m) and followed on video camera (for 191 ± 21 s) by scuba divers until they sought cover in the reef. No differences were detected between groups in any of the six measured variables, which included the time fish spent immobile after release, tail beat frequency during swimming and the time required to locate and enter the protective shelter of the reef.

Access to Cleaning Services Alters Fish Physiology Under Parasite Infection and Ocean Acidification

“…High CO 2 , and thus the associated lower pH, has been documented to impact behavior traits such as activity, homing, anxiety, learning, lateralization, and olfactory and auditory systems (reviewed by Clements and Hunt, 2015 ). Recent studies have also documented low or no effect of OA on fish behavior ( Sundin et al, 2017 ; Raby et al, 2018 ; Clark et al, 2020 ), suggesting the species-specific variability in fish behavioral responses to OA. In addition, cleaning mutualisms are not immune to OA.…”

Ocean Acidification Does Not Affect Fish Ectoparasite Survival

“…Although coral reef fish can regulate their acid-balance [7], coral reef fishes have been suggested to be susceptible to physiological and behavioural alterations under OA [7][8][9], yet, recent studies have also documented low or no effect of OA on fish behaviour [10][11][12], suggesting at least variability in fish behavioural responses to OA. During cleaning interactions, cleaner fishes inspect the body of their clients for ectoparasites, dead tissue and mucus [13].…”