Fish Laboratory Ava Chase

In the Fish Lab at the Rowland Institute, we explore perceptual and cognitive capabilities in fish.  Recently completed work used koi carp as subjects in investigations of high-level stimulus control involving complex auditory stimuli, including music.  A new paper describes this work (Ava Chase.  Music discriminations by carp (Cyprinus carpio).  Animal Learning & Behavior, 2001, 29(4), 336-353).  Reprints will be sent upon request, or a 1.2MB Acrobat .pdf file of the paper can be [downloaded here]. 

There is a short discussion of one of the experiments in the paper (the melody experiment) and two movie files [click here].

The lab has also collaborated with U-Mass Dartmouth and others to develop optimal feeding formulations and schedules for the aquaculture of tilapia.

To support all of the above work we have developed new reliable apparatus, including a horizontal response button and a feeding system that dispenses solid food underwater through a nipple (Ava Chase & Winfield Hill.  Reliable operant apparatus for fish: audio stimulus generator, response button, & pellet-dispensing nipple. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 31(3):470-478, 1999).  A 2.6MB .pdf file of the paper can be [downloaded here].

Our early work focused on color vision, specifically color-constancy in goldfish (David Ingle. The goldfish as a retinex animal. Science,227(4687):651-654, 8 February 1985).