Swimming behavior as an indicator of sublethal toxicity in fish

Abstract

Swimming behavior of fish is impaired by exposure to a diversity of contaminants. Gross aberrations in swimming can be qualitatively assessed while subtle changes in swimming behavior arising from sublethal exposures can be detected through a more detailed analysis of this response. Compared to other swimming behavior variables, the physical capacity to swim against water flow tends to be affected at relatively high toxicant concentrations and often presages mortality. Orientation to water flow, however, is altered at sublethal concentrations. Frequency of activity is a more sensitive measure in detecting contamination than measurements of survival alone. Alterations in swimming behavior have been detected during exposures to various contaminants at concentrations as low as 0.7 to 5% of their LC50 values and at concentrations that subsequently inhibited growth after longer periods of exposure. Analysis of swimming patterns provides even higher resolution for analysis of swimming behavior, and increased availability of the instrumentation necessary for such measurements should facilitate use of this approach. Fish swimming activity can easily be incorporated in test protocols to expand the sensitivity of standard toxicity tests.

Use of metabolism and swimming activity to evaluate the sublethal toxicity of surfactant (LAS-C12) on Mugil platanus

“…Furthermore, the decrease of the time of swimming until exhausted hinders the chances of finding the prey due to the reduction of the search area (Laurence, 1972). This affects the feeding efficiency leading to a concomitant decrease in the amount of available energy for growth (Little and Finger, 1990) The swimming physiology of a fish is affected by the maturity and organic conditions, degree if exposure to other stress factors, acclimation, time of test and physical and chemical parameters, such as temperature, salinity, water quality, light, size or shape of the fishbowls (Little and Finger,1990). Therefore, tests involving behavior responses require a rigid and controlled standardization of the methodology, with a rigorous uniformization of the experimental procedures as well as handling of the test organisms.…”

“…Changes in swimming behavior as a result of exposure to sublethal pollutants can affect the fish capacity to feed, to flee from predators or even to reproduce (Little et al, 1985). Swimming behavior is frequently used as a parameter to evaluate toxicity in fish (Little and Finger, 1990). Therefore, swimming capacity and swimming activity are used to assess alterations in fish movement due to effects of pollutants.…”

Effets négatifs de pH extrêmes sur le développement embryonnaire et larvaire du brochet Esox lucius L.

“…Ils ont été utilisés avec succès chez le poisson (LITTLE et FINGER, 1990). Lalevin de brochet durant sa préparation à la vie active est fixé à un support et passe par de courtes périodes de nage active avant un nouveau repos.…”

Quantifying Fish Swimming Behavior in Response to Acute Exposure of Aqueous Copper Using Computer Assisted Video and Digital Image Analysis

“…The majority of these studies examined swimming activity, ventilation, and foraging behavior of fish 2,3,4 . Swimming activity is the most frequently used sublethal endpoint in determining a behavioral change in response to a contaminant in toxicity tests 5 . Swimming variables include the frequency and duration of movement, speed and distance travelled, the frequency and angle of turns, position in the water column and the pattern of swimming.…”