Measurements of the orientation response to water flow of the fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki and the role of the lateral line system in mediating the rheotaxic behaviour

How the Antarctic fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki orientates to water flow (rheotaxis) was investigated by exposing captured fish to a laminar current flow at various flow rates in a custom built aquarium and monitoring the fish's response (directionally or not) and determining the minimum flow rate threshold required. The two major components of the lateral line system, superficial and canal neuromasts, were experimentally disabled to test for their possible roles in mediating rheotactic behaviour.