BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES OF LAKE WHITEFISH (COREGONUS-CLUPEAFORMIS) TO CADMIUM DURING PREFERENCE AVOIDANCE TESTING

The behavioral responses of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) to contact with cadmium solutions (0.2-256-mu-g/L) were monitored in a countercurrent-type preference-avoidance trough. A total of 27 parameters derived from 5 elements of locomotor behavior or spacial selection (including the percent-time measure) were computed and compared, and their sensitivity of response assessed. At over half of the concentrations, responses at any one concentration were dichotomous among individuals; whereas most fish showed "avoidance," a significant number displayed "preference" when measured as the time spent on the treated side of the trough. Several of the behavioral measures displayed biomodal dose-response relationships, with a derivative of the time-spent criterion being the most sensitive indicator of response. Whitefish reacted significantly to concentrations less-than-or-equal-to 1 and greater-than-or-equal-to 8-mu-g/L, but showed little response to those in between. They detected and responded to water containing cadmium at concentrations as low as 0.2-mu-g/L, the maximum allowable under Canadian water quality guidelines.