Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate how an event that is initially frightening to Atlantic salmon is turned to a positive stimulus through habituation and associative learning. The study was carried out in four commercial sized tanks (5 m3) with near industry densities (>550 fish, 16 kg m−3), using a delay conditioning procedure with an aversive flashing light as the conditioned stimulus and food reward as the unconditioned stimulus. By using video image analysis of the distribution of the fish in the tanks, the changes in behaviour from trial to trial could be documented in great detail. The current study documents the change in behaviour across the individual conditioning trials, clearly showing the step-by-step nature of the transition. The salmon needed more than 26 trials to become fully habituated to the flashing light but showed clear anticipatory behaviour already after about 19 trials. This demonstrates that the learning process is a combination of habituation and associative learning.
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Acknowledgments
This study has been carried out with financial support from the Commission of the European Communities, specific RTD programme “Specific Support to Policies”, SSP-2004-4-FISH—Area 8.1.B.1.3: Task 8, Project 022720 FASTFISH—on farm assessment of stress levels in fish (2006–2009). It does not necessarily reflect its views and in no way anticipates the Commission’s future policy in this area. The study has also been carried out with financial support from Research Council of Norway, Project 172487/S40 MORECARE—motivational states and coping ability as operational indicators in farmed fish. We are grateful to the staff of the Matre Aquaculture Research Station for their technical assistance. We would also like to thank two anonymous referees for valuable comments on the manuscript.
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Bratland, S., Stien, L.H., Braithwaite, V.A. et al. From fright to anticipation: using aversive light stimuli to investigate reward conditioning in large groups of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Aquacult Int 18, 991–1001 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-009-9317-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-009-9317-8