USE OF THE PASSIVE INTEGRATED TRANSPONDER (PIT) IN A FISH IDENTIFICATION AND MONITORING-SYSTEM FOR FISH BEHAVIORAL-STUDIES

Use of the passive integrated transponder (PIT) as a fish identificati on and monitoring system for behavioral study of Arctic char Salvelinu s alpinus was evaluated. The system was developed in order to track in dividual differences, mainly in rheotactic behavior. In a preliminary experimental setup, Arctic char (N = 20, 9-140 g each) were PIT-tagged and their movements were recorded at regular intervals in a circular stream channel. Two PIT tag loop detectors, placed on a narrow part of the channel, automatically recorded identity and swimming direction o f tagged fish. We demonstrate some of the applications in behavioral r esearch, such as individual, general, and diel locomotor activity patt erns, rheotactic behavior, and sociograms showing activity relationshi ps among individuals within a group.