Introduction:

How do planktivorous fish feed Fish feed by using suction. They rapidly increase the volume of their oral cavity creating an area of low pressure. This results in an inward water flow carrying its prey into its mouth. 20 times slower than real life

?Who is our fish Our fish is the Chromis viridis. This green and yellow fish is a species of Damselfish found within the Gulf of Aqaba that feeds on plankton. Previous studies have shown that this type of fish is able to adjust its feeding kinematics for different prey types.

Mussels and flow speed Other marine life have proven to modulate their feeding kinematics based on ambient flow speed In previous studies Mussels have shown the ability to fulfill this action

Our project In our studies, we search to find the effect of the ambient flow speed on the feeding behavior (feeding strike kinematics) of the Chromis viridis.

Methods:

Methods for Data Acquisition In order to obtain the feeding kinematics data of our fish, we used a high speed camera and a flow tank.

Methods for Data Acquisition A total of nine fish were used for the experiment. The fish were captured and transferred into the lab along with the coral that they lived in.

Methods for Data Acquisition Two hours before the filming, the flow speed was set so that by the time of the filming, the fish would already be accustomed to the new flow speed. The fish were not fed anything prior to the filming in order to ensure that they would be hungry at the time of the data acquisition.

Methods for Data Acquisition Feeding was measured at three flow speeds: 2.5 cm/s, 5 cm/s, and 7.5 cm/s.

Methods for Data Acquisition The fish were fed using a peristaltic pump, which pumped a type of crustacean larvae called Nauplii into the flow tank. The pump was activated at the same time as the camera. As soon as feeding strikes were filmed, the pump was stopped.

Methods for Data Acquisition The flow tank was illuminated by a 1000W LED light. The camera was set at 500 frames per second. The camera buffered video for three seconds, so when feeding was evident, the camera and food supply were immediately stopped. The previous three seconds were saved.

ImageJ Software Our group used ImageJ software to analyze videos and to obtain information on the parameters of interest from our high speed videos. We were able to create a scale and calibrate our measurements using a ruler we had recorded before taking videos of the fish feedings. Using the ImageJ measuring tools, we collected data on the parameters of interest. Data Analysis

This picture shows how ImageJ was used to measure and collect data under the maximum gape size parameter of our research project. Using ImageJ, you can either measure the distance using pixels, or using a scale of your choice that you can set up. Data Analysis

Four main parameters were chosen and measured for this project. The four parameters were: 1.Maximal Gape Size 2.Time to Peak Gape 3.Gape Protrusion 4.Food Distance

Data Results We found: feeding distance increased with flow speed Other kinematic parameters were not influenced by flow speed

Conclusions Chromis changed their timing in order to compensate for the faster flow speed. Other kinematic parameters were not influenced by the change in flow speed. This means that the flow speed is indeed integrated into decision making. We believe that the Chromis do this because they are able to anticipate the faster approaching food.

Conclusions In order to further extend our study, we could increase the range and number of flow speeds and consider measuring more kinematic parameters such as: The timing of food entering the mouth. The overall parameters of the strike against the varying sizes of the Chromis viridis. The addition of more species of fish into the study.

Thank You!!!!! Rabbi Buckman Noam Joseph Victor China Rachel Carr Brad Kitchen Everyone!