Effects of light on the behaviour of brown trout (Salmo trutta) encountering accelerating flow: Application to downstream fish passage

Avoidance of abrupt accelerations of flow exhibited by downstream migrating fish at screens used to divert them, or at fishway entrances, can cause delay and adversely impact efficiency. The use of alternative stimuli to attract fish and mask the unwanted deterrent effects associated with velocity gradients is of interest to those working in fish passage engineering. The influence of a continuous light source on the downstream movement of brown trout (Salmo trutta) as they encountered accelerating velocities created by a constricted channel in an experimental flume under three discharge regimes was assessed. It was predicted that: (1) in the absence of a light source, behavioural responses typical of downstream moving salmonids would be elicited on encountering velocity gradients, and that these responses would be initiated at some threshold spatial velocity gradient relative to body length and (2) light would act as an attractant and mask the deterrent effects of a velocity gradient and thus reduce delay. Typical avoidance behaviours, e.g. rheotactic switches in orientation or retreating upstream before re-approaching a velocity gradient, were common. The spatial velocity gradient threshold at which a response was initiated when dark was similar (ca. 0.4 cm s−1 cm−1) independent of discharge. Fish responded farther upstream at a lower spatial velocity gradient threshold (ca. 0.2 cm s−1 cm−1) in the presence of both mechanosensory and visual cues when light. Contrary to the second prediction, downstream movement was further delayed by the addition of a light stimulus. The findings support an alternate hypothesis, that responsiveness (avoidance) can be enhanced when multimodal stimuli are presented.

► The behaviour of downstream moving brown trout was assessed.
► When encountering accelerating flow, trout exhibited avoidance responses.
► Responses occurred at the same spatial velocity gradient irrespective of discharge.
► A light source was used to try and mask the deterrent affects of accelerating flow.
► Contrary to predictions delay was enhanced when encountering multimodal stimuli.