VERTICAL MIGRATION OF CHAOBORUS LARVAE IS INDUCED BY THE PRESENCE OF FISH

Diel changes in the depth distribution of Chaoborus flavicans larvae in thermally stratified aquaria with a distinct light gradient revealed that the larvae responded behaviorally to the presence of fish. Both the midday and midnight mean depths of the population were greater in the presence of fish. Most fish-treated larvae found a daily refuge in bottom sediments. It appears that the stimulus for vertical migration is chemical, not visual or mechanical. The fish effect persisted for more than 15 d but was reversible. Those individuals that previously had been exposed to fish factor were considerably more sensitive to light than untreated larvae and showed a panic response when suddenly illuminated.