Major Research Topics
Fish Behavior
Fish behavior is one of the main topics studied by the Aquaculture group. It involves subjects such as learning behavior, feeding behavior and preferences, self-feeders usage, acoustic responses to artificial sounds, escape behavior, mating and social behavior. These studies have been performed (and are currently being performed) on many different marine finfish species either already successfully reared or at the process of being entered in the Aquaculture protocols. In order to realize these kind of experiments, the Aquaculture group has at its disposal specialized facilities and instruments such as sound proof chambers, adjustable temperature rooms, closed recirculation tanks of over 2000 lt. in total, specialized tanks for observation and video recording, video and image analysis software and hardware, self and electronic feeders etc.
In particular, our research involves the following topics:
A. Natural behavioral requirements with focus on the feeding preferences and the feeding rhythms of larvae and post-larvae of farmed marine fish species.
B. Learning capacity and conditioning of marine fish at different developmental stages with emphasis on sound discrimination and self-feeding ability.
C. Relationship between learning, motivation, growth and welfare.
D. Acute and chronic stress, effects, tolerance thresholds and areas. Behavioral stress responses and control mechanisms.
Recently we also developed accurate methodologies in order to study the escape behavior and the effect of rearing parameters on the motivation to escape in sea bream and sea bass juveniles reared in sea cages.
In particular, our research involves the following topics:
A. Natural behavioral requirements with focus on the feeding preferences and the feeding rhythms of larvae and post-larvae of farmed marine fish species.
B. Learning capacity and conditioning of marine fish at different developmental stages with emphasis on sound discrimination and self-feeding ability.
C. Relationship between learning, motivation, growth and welfare.
D. Acute and chronic stress, effects, tolerance thresholds and areas. Behavioral stress responses and control mechanisms.
Recently we also developed accurate methodologies in order to study the escape behavior and the effect of rearing parameters on the motivation to escape in sea bream and sea bass juveniles reared in sea cages.
Fish Morphology
Nearly all aspects of fish morphology have been studied or are being studied by the Aquaculture group. Fish ontogeny from fertilization until the juvenile stage (growth and developmental rates, ontogenetic pattern etc.), skeletal ontogeny from hatching until its full completion, deformities (body, color and skeletal) and normal morphological and meristic plasticity in respect to different rearing conditions have been studied in numerous reared marine species or potential candidates for the aquaculture production.
Zebrafish Biology
Since 2003, besides marine finfish species, the aquaculture group began working on wild type zebrafish (Danio rerio) as well. This very important model-organism for all kinds of research projects around the world was introduced into our facilities in order to be treated as an aquaculture species and be studied in respect to its basic biology. Important information such as breeding, pre-larval and larval rearing under intense aquaculture conditions (in closed recirculation systems) was gathered. Nowadays, research on this species is focused on its response to different environmental conditions mainly during the egg and early larval life stages.
Definition of biological requirements and the best practices for the rearing of different marine species
Since 1984, the aquaculture group was involved in the study of biology and the rearing conditions of new marine fish species with emphasis on the effects of environment on growth and development of the early life stages. Besides fish, we also occasionally studied other sea organisms as well (e.g. macro algae).
Although not one of our primary topics of research we also often study fish physiology and especially aspects that include nutrition, muscle metabolism and swimming capacity.
Recenly, in collaboration with the Institute of Aquaculture of the HCMR and the Cretaquarium we extended our research interests on invertebrates, especially tritons (Charonia tritonis variegata) and Tropical Corals (Acropora sp and Alkyonidae sp).
Although not one of our primary topics of research we also often study fish physiology and especially aspects that include nutrition, muscle metabolism and swimming capacity.
Recenly, in collaboration with the Institute of Aquaculture of the HCMR and the Cretaquarium we extended our research interests on invertebrates, especially tritons (Charonia tritonis variegata) and Tropical Corals (Acropora sp and Alkyonidae sp).