Behaviour of the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteous aculeatus (Gasterosteidae, Teleostei) in the multispecies freshwater biomonitor:: a validation of automated recordings at three levels of ammonia pollution

The validity of using an automated online biomonitoring system, the multispecies freshwater biomonitor (MFB), in recording the physiological and behavioural activities of the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteous aculeatus, is assessed. The direct impact of the alternating electrical current generated by the impedance converter on fish activity was measured using a repeated measures design, machine on/machine off. Twelve subjects were used in each of three experimental groups: (1) standard hard water environment (control), (2) 0.1 mM NH(4)Cl and (3) 10 mM NH(4)Cl. Impedance generated waves were compared to corresponding manually recorded behavioural observations in an attempt to calibrate the MFB, assigning particular behaviours to a particular frequency and amplitude range. Data analysis suggests that the MFB current did not affect fish behaviour at any of the three contamination levels studied. Furthermore, analysis of the frequency with which behavioural activity changed (activity phases classified as inactive or active) showed that MFB behavioural data was not significantly different from that recorded manually. This suggested that the MFB recorded the behaviours that were concurrently observed. The feasibility of using the MFB as an effective behavioural early warning system in an aquacultural environment and as a scientific tool for toxicity testing is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.