The role of temperature in the response by goldfish (Carassius auratus) to chemical cues

Abstract

The locomotor behavior of goldfish (Carassius auratus) was used to investigate the nature of the effects of temperature on the response by fish to chemical cues. The fish were monitored individually in a circular tank offering a multiple choice situation of eight photoelectrically-guarded compartments. Goldfish acclimated to 26(DEGREES)C were found to be attracted to an extract of trout chow infused into one of the compartments. The attraction for the extract decreased as the goldfish were acclimated and tested at higher temperatures. Although no attraction could be discerned at 30(DEGREES)C, there were indications of an attraction at 32 and 34(DEGREES)C. The presence of the extract also evoked a "food searching" behavior throughout the tank, the locomotor parameters of which were statistically distinguishable from an "exploratory" behavior expressed by control fish. As the extract lost its attractiveness at the higher temperatures, there was a concomitant reversion by the fish to the exploratory behavior. There was no preference by the fish between two compartments receiving the extract at different infusion rates at any temperature tested (27, 30, and 34(DEGREES)C).