Flowing water decreases hydrodynamic signal detection in a fish with an epidermal lateral-line system

Abstract

The lateral-line system of the common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus, is unusual in that it possesses an extensive array of superficial neuromasts. Fish were trained to orientate to a small vibrating bead (50 Hz). By manipulating the amplitude of vibration to determine the threshold level for the behaviour, the hydrodynamic detection capabilities of the common bully were characterised in both still- and flowing-water. In still water, the common bully attained a detection threshold (calculated as the amplitude of water particle displacement at the snout) of 3.3 × 10−5 cm at 50 Hz. Successive elevations in the background flow caused a 10-fold decrease in detection sensitivity. At a background flow of 4.5 cm s–1 the detection threshold increased to 3 × 10−4 cm. These findings demonstrate that a lateral-line system that lacks sub-surface canal neuromasts is most sensitive in still-water conditions (low-noise). However, this system is compromised under flowing-water conditions such that sensitivity is reduced at current velocities >1.5 cm s–1.