Technical platform

Scientific & Technical Context:

Located near the ECOBIOP laboratory and the researchers' offices, the technical platform was designed mainly to conduct experiments in a controlled environment. The data collected focus mainly on dispersal and territorial behaviours (juveniles) or sometimes reproduction (adults). The data are collected using direct observation, video equipment  or respirometry equipment. The main instruments are located indoors in temperature-controlled rooms equipped with specific lighting, secure electrical installations and equipment that ensures precise control of environmental characteristics (temperature, light level, flow rate, etc.). The fish are placed, as much as possible, in a non-stressful environment to reflect living conditions similar to those in their natural habitats, with minimal disturbance (monitoring via video surveillance, short visits, etc.).

Description of the facilities :

The technical platform is at the INRAE site of ​​Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle. The main building, constructed in 1978, is used by the two teams at the Aquapôle. The Behavioural Ecology of Fish Experimental Facilities (ECP IE) (260 m²) consist of the following areas:

• A fluvarium room (100 m²) that contains a circular concrete aquarium (25 m³) divided into two 10 m sections, 16 rearing tanks, 16 removable aquariums, a laboratory bench and storage cabinets for scientific equipment
• Two identical experimental rooms (no. 5a and 5b, 10 m² each) that contain a chronotron (a small (400 L) non-fixed circular aquarium (2 m x 0.5 m x 0.6 m, divided into two 1.5 m x 0.25 m sections))
• A room (no. 6, 30 m²) that contains fixed experimental troughs and the respirometry equipment
• An outdoor holding platform near the main building

The facilities operate in closed, semi-closed or open water circuits, depending on the type of experiment. They are supplied with tap water or water from the Nivelle River (stored in a 2000 m³ reservoir next to the platform). For fish safety, a secure pump system ensures that the aquariums have a continuous water supply, and staff are always on call. All rooms can be equipped with digital video equipment (underwater, aerial) to monitor behaviour. The intensity and wavelength (ultraviolet, visible light, infrared) of lights can be adjusted. The habitat structure and environment can be adjusted by installing cover, shelters, artificial vegetation and pebbles or varying water depth, inflow/outflow rate, flow velocity, temperature or the day/night cycle.

Contact : Jean-Christophe Aymes