EFFECT OF THE EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY, ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON SOME BEHAVIORAL ASPECTS OF OREOCHROMIS SPILURUS.

EFFECT OF THE EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY,
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON SOME BEHAVIORAL
ASPECTS OF OREOCHROMIS SPILURUS.
AHMAD OSMAN MAL
Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University,
P. O. Box 80207, Jeddah, 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Keywords: Oreochromis spilurus – Electromagnetic field – fish behavior – Opercular
ventilation.
ABSTRACT
The impact of the extremely low frequency (50 Hz), electromagnetic fields (5 and 10
KV/m) on some behavioral aspects of the tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus, has been studied.
Both fields strength showed no change in feeding behavior, however, the exposed fish were
calm and tend to stay near the bottom of the aquarium. They can be very aggressive if they
were stimulated (i.e. at the time of feeding). The opercular ventilation rates (OVR)
decreased drastically among both field strengths exposed fish.