Avoidance of petroleum hydrocarbons by the cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract

The experimental fish were held in two different aquaria, one with three and one with two compartments. Water containing "water soluble fraction" of Fuel Oil No. 2 was introduced in one of the compartments. By means of light- and sound-based detectors, the amount of time spent by the fish in the various compartments was recorded. Although the results were somewhat contradictory, it seems that the fish avoided water containing more than 100 µg/l of the petroleum hydrocarbons.