Aquaculture Research – Hunting Squid CO2 Study

Trident Farm Fresh Heat Pumps from Toyesi used in the background to control water temperature for a Coral Reef hunting squid co2 study

Here at Toyesi, we put a lot of love into our equipment and many of our clients rely on their reliability for the livelihood of their aquatic animals.

Not only is the lives of the aquatic animals important, our equipment is used in research projects that requires accurate temperature control. Being able to take full advantage of our reverse cycle heat pumps / chillers enables our client’s very narrow band temperature control, thus helping these projects produce accurate results for their critical research.

James Cook University’s ARC Centre of Excellence has worked with Toyesi on many such research projects, and it is very exciting when we get to hear about the results and findings. And that our equipment were successfully used to produce the valuable outcomes of months or even years of dedicated work.

Below is a snap shot of one of their success stories which Toyesi is very pleased to help provide quality and reliable heating & chilling for.

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Hunting squid slowed by rising carbon levels

Scientists in the aquaculture research for hunting squid CO2 study have found that high carbon dioxide levels cause squid to bungle attacks on their prey.

PhD candidate Blake Spady from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (Coral CoE) at James Cook University (JCU) led the investigation. He said that the oceans absorb more than one-quarter of all the excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere by humans and this uptake of additional CO₂ causes seawater to become more acidic.

“Climate models project that unless there is a serious commitment to reducing emissions, CO₂ levels will continue increasing this century to reach levels that will have far-reaching effects on sea life,” he said.

Mr Spady said the team chose to study cephalopods (a group that includes squid, cuttlefish and octopuses) because while most previous behavioural studies have focused on fishes, the effects of elevated CO₂ on highly active invertebrates is largely unknown.

“Cephalopods also prey on just about anything they can wrap their arms around and are themselves preyed upon by a wide range of predator species, so they occupy an important place within marine food webs.”

The scientists tested the effects of elevated CO₂ on the hunting behaviours of pygmy squid and bigfin reef squid.

“For pygmy squid, there was a 20% decrease in the proportion of squid that attacked their prey after exposure to elevated CO₂ levels. They were also slower to attack, attacked from further away, and often chose more conspicuous body pattern displays at elevated CO₂ conditions.

Bigfin reef squid showed no difference in the proportion of individuals that attacked prey, but, like the pygmy squid, they were slower to attack and used different body patterns more often.”

Mr Spady said both species showed increased activity at elevated CO₂ conditions when they weren’t hunting, which suggests that they could also be adversely altering their ‘energy budgets’.

“Overall, we found similar behavioural effects of elevated CO₂ on two separate cephalopod orders that occupy largely distinct niches. This means a variety of cephalopods may be adversely affected by rising CO₂ in the oceans, and that could have significant consequences in marine ecosystems,” said co-author Dr Sue-Ann Watson.

“However, because squid have short lifespans, large populations, and a high rate of population increase, they may have the potential to adapt to rapid changes in the physical environment,” Mr Spady added.

“The fast lifestyle of squid could mean they are more likely to adapt to future ocean conditions than some other marine species, and this is the next question we intend to investigate.”

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Sample collection of Toyesi & Trident Farm Fresh Heat Pumps and Chillers..

If you want to now how Toyesi and its Affiliates can help you and your Aquaculture, Horticulture, Hydroponic or Aquaponic business increase energy efficiency, reduce running costs or minimise your waste energy then give us a call.

Contact us on  02  9679 9400 or by email info@toyesi.com.au and we can discuss how we can best assist you in your projects.