Novia Rahmatul Azizah, Nofrizal Nofrizal, Alit Hindri Yani

Behavioral Response of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to Electrical Flow in an Electrofishing Gear

Introduction

Behavioral response of african catfish (clarias gariepinus) to electrical flow in an electrofishing gear. Study African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) behavioral and physiological responses to 12-volt electrofishing gear. Reveals fainting, injuries, and population sustainability implications.

Abstract

African catfish are a species of fish commonly found in various aquatic environments. Fishermen employ diverse methods to catch fish in seas, rivers, and swamps, utilizing eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly tools. One such tool is electrofishing. Fish behavior is influenced by their ability to adapt to their environment. One observable aspect is the African catfish's swimming patterns and endurance in a research pond. This study was conducted in April 2024 at the Fishing Gear Materials Laboratory, Department of Aquatic Resource Utilization, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Riau. The research utilized an experimental method, with data collected directly in the Laboratory. African catfish were used as test subjects with a 12-volt electric fishing gear. The results showed that at a treatment distance of 30 cm, the fish required an average of 3,5 seconds to respond to the electric current. The use of electrofishing gear has been proven to cause negative physiological responses, including fainting, external injuries, and mucus release in African catfish, which has implications for the sustainability of the African catfish population. After electrofishing, the condition of the fish showed injuries and fin loss on their bodies, resulting in some fish dying during recovery, although the number of dead fish was fewer than the number of surviving fish

Review

This study investigates the behavioral and physiological responses of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) to electrical flow from electrofishing gear, a topic of significant relevance given the widespread use of this method in various aquatic environments. The authors clearly set out to observe immediate reactions, swimming patterns, and endurance, utilizing an experimental approach with direct data collection in a controlled laboratory setting. The research provides an initial quantitative insight into the fish's response time, noting an average of 3.5 seconds for fish at a 30 cm distance to react to a 12-volt current, which is a useful baseline measurement for understanding immediate behavioral changes. A core strength and simultaneously a major concern raised by the findings is the detailed description of the negative physiological responses induced by electrofishing. The abstract explicitly states observations of fainting, external injuries, mucus release, and notably, "injuries and fin loss on their bodies," leading to some mortality during recovery. While these observations are critical for assessing welfare impacts, the abstract would benefit from further clarification on the *severity* and *prevalence* of these injuries across the test population, as well as the specific criteria used to define "fainting" or "external injuries." Furthermore, the claim regarding "implications for the sustainability of the African catfish population" requires more robust evidence than the current abstract provides, potentially necessitating larger sample sizes, varying exposure levels, or longer-term ecological studies to substantiate such a broad conclusion. Overall, this study makes a valuable contribution by empirically demonstrating the immediate adverse effects of electrofishing on African catfish, challenging the notion of its universal eco-friendliness, especially when used indiscriminately. The findings underscore the importance of considering animal welfare and population health in fisheries management practices. For future work, it would be highly beneficial to expand on the current research by investigating varying electrical parameters (e.g., pulse frequency, duration, voltage), exploring recovery rates over extended periods, and assessing potential sub-lethal effects that might impact reproduction or long-term survival in natural habitats. This research serves as an important initial step in understanding the true ecological and welfare costs of electrofishing, prompting further detailed investigation into more sustainable and humane fishing methodologies.

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