The effect of increased sound levels with different temporal patterns on swimming behaviour of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Increased levels of anthropogenic noise may cause a broad range of negative effects on fish and other animals in aquatic habitats. In a laboratory study, we investigated the effect of five sound treatments (in a same frequency range 400-2000Hz and exposure level 121 dB 1 µ Pa) with differences in temporal patterns in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) swimming behaviour. The number of startle response, short-term swimming speed and long-term swimming speed were measured for all thirty zebrafish individually. An aquarium with dimensions of 50 × 15 × 20 cm was used to perform this study and assess the behavioral responses of fish. Our results revealed prominent and clear sound-related effects on zebrafish behaviour. All sound exposure treatments induced a significant increase in the number of startle response, short-term swimming speed and long-term swimming speed for zebrafish in captive conations (p < 0.05). This study highlights the potential impact of anthropogenic noise on zebrafish behaviour in captive condition. Further studies are needed to investigate whether anthropogenic noise may cause similar patterns in other fish species in captivity but also in outdoor conditions.