Meeting Abstract
Recently, abundant interest concerning gymnotiform locomotion has emerged, but research has focused on kinematics, hydrodynamics and robotics. Very little is known about the swimming abilities and performance of fish that use gymnotiform locomotion. In this study we explored the allometry and repeatability of two swimming performances in black ghost knifefish of several sizes. Individual fish were subject to repeated sprint and constant acceleration tests within a single day and across a period of 4 weeks. A sprint chamber with computer-controlled laser detection system was used to find maximal sprint speeds of each individual. Endurance performance was tested using a constant acceleration test (CAT) increasing velocity in the swim tunnel at the rate of 3 cm s-1 min-1 until fish fatigued (Umax). Both tests were significantly repeatable within a day and across 4 weeks. Swimming performance was analyzed with respect to size, growth over the 4 week interim period and with respect to several morphological measurements. Surprisingly, there was no effect of fish body size on either endurance or sprint swimming performance. These results suggest consistent performance in a gymnotiform swimmer, but little effect of size based on our sample.
