Reduced cannibalistic behavior of African catfish, clarias gariepinus, larvae under dark and dim conditions

Mukai, Yukinori and Sanudin, Noorsyarinah and Firdaus, Rian Freddie and Saad, Shahbudin (2013) Reduced cannibalistic behavior of African catfish, clarias gariepinus, larvae under dark and dim conditions. Zoological Science, 30 (6). pp. 421-424. ISSN 0289-0003 (P)

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Abstract

In general, African catfish shows higher survival rates in the dark conditions than in the light conditions. In this study, larval behavior of African catfish was observed under 0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 lx using a CCD camera to investigate the reason why African catfish larvae show higher survival rates in dark conditions. The larvae showed significantly higher swimming activity under 0, 0.01, and 0.1 lx than that under 10 and 100 lx. The larvae also showed significantly increased aggressive behavior under 10 and 100 lx; the swimming larvae attacked resting individuals more frequently under 10 and 100 lx than under 0, 0.01, and 0.1 lx. The aggressive behavior and sharp teeth of the attacking larvae appeared to induce skin surface lesions on injured larvae. Chemical substances were then generated from the injured skin surface, and these chemical stimuli triggered cannibalistic behavior in other fish near the injured fish. The results of this study demonstrate that the higher survival rates of African catfish larvae under dark conditions are a result of inactivity and subsequent increase in chemical releasing stimuli concentrations around inactive individuals that triggers feeding behavior in nearby active catfish. Therefore, we recommend larval rearing of African catfish in dark or dim conditions, as it improves catfish survival rates.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6616/30384
Uncontrolled Keywords:	African catfish, cannibalistic behavior, aggressive behavior, swimming behavior, light intensi- ties, larval rearing
Subjects:	Q Science > QL Zoology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Biotechnology Kulliyyah of Science > Institute of Oceanography and Maritime Studies
Depositing User:	Dr. Yukinori Mukai
Date Deposited:	06 Jun 2013 17:40
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2013 13:12
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/30384

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