Rising concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), lead to a rise of CO2 concentration in ocean water through a process called ocean acidification. In this study the effects of these higher concentrations were tested on behavioural changes, including coupling formation and olfactory sensing, in a tropical reef fish, Amphiprion ocellaris, for a period of 32 days. Behavioural changes in routine behaviour and boldness, were most apparent as CO2 concentrations increased. Coupling formation seemed to be impaired at a pH of 7.4, though not yet at a pH of 7.8 which is predicted to occur by 2100. No clear differences were found in olfactory sensing between different CO2 concentrations, giving no proof that ocean acidification might impair the olfactory mechanism. |
