Fish Biology

Glasgow University has an internationally recognised research group working on the biology of fish, specialising in the behavioural ecology of freshwater fish and the physiological causes underlying behavioural variation. A strength of the group is its multidisciplinary nature, which is illustrated in detailed studies of the behaviour, physiology, ecology, evolution and life history patterns of freshwater fish such as sticklebacks and salmonids (salmon, trout and arctic charr). We are interested in intraspecific variation in morphology (e.g. the development of different morphs in charr), behaviour (different behavioural syndromes in sticklebacks) and physiology (consequences of metabolic rate differences in salmon). We are also studying community structure in deep sea and lacustrine fish, and links between physiology and senescence in sticklebacks and swordtails.

The Fish Biology Group has a strong record in applied as well as fundamental research. Our work on salmonids, and other farmed species, includes extensive collaboration with the aquaculture industry, in investigating natural feeding rhythms, finding ways to predict the onset of sexual maturity, and devising ways to minimise aggression and stress in farmed fish. We also work on applied ecological problems, such as assessing the impact of both introduced fish and human disturbance on lake ecosystems. We also have strong links with other researchers on vertebrate behaviour, ecology and physiology within our department. We have excellent facilities for holding and observing the behaviour of fish in the Graham Kerr Building on the University campus and at SCENE on the banks of Loch Lomond (where we have artificial observation streams), and also conduct research at a range of field sites, on fish farms and in collaboration with the FRS Marine and Freshwater Labs in Aberdeen and Pitlochry respectively.

Staff Members

Dr Kate Arnold		Dr Colin Adams		Dr David Bailey		Prof. Felicity Huntingford
Dr Jan Lindstrom		Dr Barbara Mable		Prof. Neil Metcalfe

Postgraduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers

Helen Ablitt		Tim Burton		Guilliame Dauphin		Jennifer Dodd
Elizabeth Etheridge		Hussein Jenjan		Who Seung Lee		Flavia Mesquita
Zara Gladman		Ashley Le Vin		Donald Reid