Behavioural changes seen in fish, birds during solar eclipse

A Research by the Aquatic Biology department of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) has found changes in behaviour of different species of fish during Wednesday's solar eclipse.

The team, headed by professor Dr Mohini Gadhiya, studied behaviour of ornamental golden fish, prawns and rohu fish, which were kept in three separate aquariums (six each) on the rooftop of the biology department building. The entire movements of the fish were videotaped and even voice censors were kept in the tanks.

Dr Gadhiya said: "We observed that when it started to become darker, all the prawns came on the surface of the aquarium, while ornamental gold fish went at the bottom and stopped moving. Rohu fish also settled down at the bottom of the tank and were seen hiding themselves in groups."

A few minutes after the eclipse finished, their movements became normal, Dr Gadhiya added.

Also, the garden department of the Surat Municipal Corporation studied behaviour of birds and animals before, during and after the eclipse at the Sarthana Nature Park.

Zoo in-charge superintendent Dr P G Mehta said, "Birds started chirping just before the eclipse process was to begin and then jumped into water. This means they might feel safe in water during eclipse."

He added that no behavioural change was seen among animals like crocodiles, owls and monkeys during and after the eclipse.

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