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Fu SJ
Flow and stress acclimation both enhance predator avoidance in a common cyprinid fish
The southern catfish Silurus meridionalis is one of the primary predators of qingbo Spinibarbus sinensis, both are common species in the Three-Gorges Reservoir. The effects of acclimation to flowing water (as opposed to nearly still water) and predator stress (southern catfish) on the swimming performance and predator avoidance ability of juvenile qingbo were investigated. Qingbo subject to flow acclimation showed higher prolonged swimming capacity and those exposed to predators developed a faster reaction to predator stimulus. Furthermore, both treatments enhanced predator avoidance capacity, though it appears different mechanisms are involved in each case. These results may be important in the development of optimal conditions for rearing fish that may be subsequently released into the wild.