Behavioral responses of lake whitefish (<i>coregonus clupeaformis</i>) to cadmium during preference-avoidance testing

Abstract

Abstract The behavioral responses of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) to contact with cadmium solutions (0.2-256 μg/L) were monitored in a countercurrent-type preference-avoidance trough. A total of 27 parameters derived from 5 elements of locomotor behavior or spatial selection (including the percent-time measure) were computed and compared, and their sensitivity of response assessed. At over half of the concentrations, responses at any one concentration were dichotomous among individuals; whereas most fish showed “avoidance,” a significant number displayed “preference” when measured as the time spent on the treated side of the trough. Several of the behavioral measures displayed bimodal dose-response relationships, with a derivative of the time-spent criterion being the most sensitive indicator of response. Whitefish reacted significantly to concentrations &amp;lt;1 and &amp;gt;8 μg/L, but showed little response to those in between. They detected and responded to water containing cadmium at concentrations as low as 0.2 μg/L, the maximum allowable under Canadian water quality guidelines.