Behavioral Alterations in Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus) Briefly Exposed to Sublethal Chlorine Levels

Abstract

Changes in the locomotor behavior of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) exposed inadvertently to sublethal chlorine concentrations (> 19μg total residual chlorine/L) for 6 d are described. Compared with their preexposure behavior, the char became hypoactive, much more strongly thigmotactic, and less responsive to a food extract during the exposure. After the high chlorine levels subsided, the char continued to be hypoactive for at least 1 wk and failed to respond positively to the food extract for 20 d. There is evidence that some individuals displayed chlorine stress behavior for at least 46 d after the return of nonstressful conditions.