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How does an aquatic animal or plant react to weather changes
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Swordfish
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:59 am
How does an aquatic animal or plant react to weather changes
That is the question I am reseaching and I would like to know if anyone had any ideas on how to measure this. We will most likely be using goldfish as the test subject and we will be changing the water temperature and amount of water in the tank. I was thinking we could record the data by the amount of fish gasping for air at the surface, the fish that have no effect or the fish that have abnormal breathing patterns.
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jessicahua
- Former Expert
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:11 pm
Ahoy there matey!
This sounds like a pretty interesting topic, but don't hurt the fish. I have first hand knowledge that fish will die when the temperature drops too suddenly. My sister and I lost 3 fish this way. Anyways...here are some sites that might be useful:
1. http://science.csustan.edu/flora/zool42 ... ldfish.htm
2. http://www.goldfishinfo.com/general.htm#chilling (look under chilling)
This sounds like a pretty interesting topic, but don't hurt the fish. I have first hand knowledge that fish will die when the temperature drops too suddenly. My sister and I lost 3 fish this way. Anyways...here are some sites that might be useful:
1. http://science.csustan.edu/flora/zool42 ... ldfish.htm
2. http://www.goldfishinfo.com/general.htm#chilling (look under chilling)
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jessicahua
- Former Expert
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:11 pm
Hi!
The sites from my previous post just show the symptoms of the fish. For more information on the symptoms, you can go to a fish store and ask one of the employess. Try to go to one of the aquariums and not just Petco. Also, to organize it you can just record the severity of the symptoms. For ex: how did they react, how severe was it, how long did it last... Oh...also when the water becomes too low the fish freak out
I hope this helps
The sites from my previous post just show the symptoms of the fish. For more information on the symptoms, you can go to a fish store and ask one of the employess. Try to go to one of the aquariums and not just Petco. Also, to organize it you can just record the severity of the symptoms. For ex: how did they react, how severe was it, how long did it last... Oh...also when the water becomes too low the fish freak out
I hope this helps
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Swordfish
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 10:59 am
RE
I am going to make the changes over a period of time like for instance an hour or two. Do you think the fish will have the same effect. I would like to portray an ice age or a "Day After Tommorow" type of thing.
Also, how do you think I could measure this?
Thank You
Also, how do you think I could measure this?
Thank You
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jessicahua
- Former Expert
- Posts: 152
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 4:11 pm
hey!
If you do it gradually the effect will not be be as drastic or pronounced because the fish will be able to adjust to the temperature changes. To get a drastic change you must change it abruptly (please dont kill the fish though) To measure the water temperature just use a thermometer. That should be easy.
To measure the fish reaction just use qualitative observations. This might be a little more difficult. Just ask questions and answer them for each temperature change. Ex: Do the eyes cloud over? Is the sense of balance impaired? Is there a loss of appetite? Is the fish gasping for air? I don't think there is a way to get quantitaive information unless you say how many fish reacted or how long they reacted. There are many ways in which you can measure the reactions of the fish.
I hope this is clear and that you understand it. If you have more questions just post them.
If you do it gradually the effect will not be be as drastic or pronounced because the fish will be able to adjust to the temperature changes. To get a drastic change you must change it abruptly (please dont kill the fish though) To measure the water temperature just use a thermometer. That should be easy.
To measure the fish reaction just use qualitative observations. This might be a little more difficult. Just ask questions and answer them for each temperature change. Ex: Do the eyes cloud over? Is the sense of balance impaired? Is there a loss of appetite? Is the fish gasping for air? I don't think there is a way to get quantitaive information unless you say how many fish reacted or how long they reacted. There are many ways in which you can measure the reactions of the fish.
I hope this is clear and that you understand it. If you have more questions just post them.
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deleted-71484
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 2:31 pm
Fishy reactions
Swordfish...
Perhaps the change in water temperature affects the fish activity level. You can include observations of how fast the fish move at different temperatures. Perhaps at some specific temperature, the fish will stay near the bottom of the tank or near the top of the tank.
As Jessica mentioned, you can do some preliminary observations to see if you detect a pattern to the fish activity, then change the temperature gradually to see if specific activity levels or activities occur at specific temperatures.
Perhaps the change in water temperature affects the fish activity level. You can include observations of how fast the fish move at different temperatures. Perhaps at some specific temperature, the fish will stay near the bottom of the tank or near the top of the tank.
As Jessica mentioned, you can do some preliminary observations to see if you detect a pattern to the fish activity, then change the temperature gradually to see if specific activity levels or activities occur at specific temperatures.