Failure of Bluegill Sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, to Habituate to Handling

Abstract

Two experiments measured changes in breathing rate in bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) after several forms of routine daily handling. Both experiments revealed large increases in this measure after handling. However, the magnitude of this response did not diminish during 10 days of handling. Thus, the bluegill's respiratory response does not readily habituate to these treatments.