Hypoxia in coral reef fish
1) The purpose of this project is to quantify the effect of progressive hypoxia on the energetics and whole organism performance of coral reef fish. Here we apply for pilot experiments with the aim to apply later for further experiments once the methods and protocols are established. In the pilot experiments we aim to test short and long term acclimation to fluctuating nightly hypoxia, and a method for measuring standard metabolic rate under progressive hypoxia.
2) Based on prior experience we do not expect distress, serious injuries or serious welfare issues with any of the protocols proposed but since we are testing the thresholds for acclimation to hypoxia we consider these pilot experiments to be moderate in severity.
3) The results obtained will inform us of five fish species ability to acclimate to nightly hypoxia in the laboratory environment (information which is essential for further experiments) both in terms of maintaining normal behaviour and feeding but also the effect acclimation has on standard metabolic rate. This preliminary baseline information will be used to inform models which will be used to predict life-history strategies and influence the design of future experiments.
Describing different species tolerance to hypoxia and how this affects the fishes performance is needed to predict which species, and therefore which areas of the coral reef, will be most resilient to changes in oxygen. This information can then be used to inform local management and conservation decisions, highlighting the societal benefits of this research.
4) 72 fish will be used in these pilot experiments. 24 fish will be used from the guppy (Poecilidae reticulata), and 12 fish will be used from four coral reef fish (e.g. Chromis viridis, Dasycllus aruanus, Neopomacentrus azysron and Ostorhinchus cyanosoma).
5) To adhere to the 3Rs: Replacement is not possible as we are investigating whole-organism performance to progressive hypoxia. Reduction has been used to minimise the number of fish needed to test methods and provide baseline threshold levels. In addition we are using modelling in this project alongside the experiments which reduces the sample sizes needed. We will also rigorously monitor the fish for sign of compromised welfare during all trials.
2) Based on prior experience we do not expect distress, serious injuries or serious welfare issues with any of the protocols proposed but since we are testing the thresholds for acclimation to hypoxia we consider these pilot experiments to be moderate in severity.
3) The results obtained will inform us of five fish species ability to acclimate to nightly hypoxia in the laboratory environment (information which is essential for further experiments) both in terms of maintaining normal behaviour and feeding but also the effect acclimation has on standard metabolic rate. This preliminary baseline information will be used to inform models which will be used to predict life-history strategies and influence the design of future experiments.
Describing different species tolerance to hypoxia and how this affects the fishes performance is needed to predict which species, and therefore which areas of the coral reef, will be most resilient to changes in oxygen. This information can then be used to inform local management and conservation decisions, highlighting the societal benefits of this research.
4) 72 fish will be used in these pilot experiments. 24 fish will be used from the guppy (Poecilidae reticulata), and 12 fish will be used from four coral reef fish (e.g. Chromis viridis, Dasycllus aruanus, Neopomacentrus azysron and Ostorhinchus cyanosoma).
5) To adhere to the 3Rs: Replacement is not possible as we are investigating whole-organism performance to progressive hypoxia. Reduction has been used to minimise the number of fish needed to test methods and provide baseline threshold levels. In addition we are using modelling in this project alongside the experiments which reduces the sample sizes needed. We will also rigorously monitor the fish for sign of compromised welfare during all trials.