A NEW METHOD FOR ASSESSING FISH FEEDING RHYTHMS USING DEMAND FEEDERS AND AUTOMATED DATA-ACQUISITION

A new approach to monitoring fish feeding rhythms and associated envir onmental variables is described. This system includes demand feeders a ttached to load cells to monitor feed consumption, and environmental p robes to monitor variables such as temperature, solar radiation, barom etric pressure, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH. Measurements from the load cells and probes are recorded at some desired time interval on a data logger, and the data are then analyzed for correlations betw een feed consumption and environmental conditions. An example of feed consumption rhythms by Chinese catfish (Clarias fuscus) is given. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.