Video recordings of underwater tracks of fish approaching an olfactory stimulus released into the water column to determine the search strategy used by Antarctic fish

Two branches exist in the mechanosensory lateral line in Antarctic fish: the canal system and superfiscial neuromasts. Behavioural evidence shows that the canal system is used for prey detection but the purpose of the superfiscial neuromasts is not understood, although they respond to steady water movement. It is thought that the superfiscial neuromasts role is to sense water current. Localisation of an olfactory source requires knowledge of the way in which the olfactory source is being dispersed by the current. The underwater track of fish approaching an olfactory stimulus released in the water column were recorded. Software was developed to analyse video images and conduct simulations. The simulated tracks were compared with the actual tracks to determine the search strategy used by Antarctic fishes.