Robotic Fish Have the Potential of Reducing Invasive Freshwater Species

In lakes and rivers where invasive fish species threaten native populations, the next fish to be stocked may be robotic. Attempts to control invaders with toxicants or traps often fail. But, robotic fish may be able to achieve what other methods have not been able to accomplish. They may be among the first, but not the last, robots to control pests in the wild.

Robotic Fish Stress Out Mosquitofish

毫不奇怪，蚊子是一种滋扰和威胁。它可能是世界上最广泛的淡水鱼，可以从伊利诺伊州到墨西哥南部的北美地区找到。它是在许多地区引入的，以消耗蚊子幼虫。但是，他们积极毁坏了本地鱼类种群，以减少蚊子种群。

蚊子太多了，一位科学家说，试图手工捕获蚊子就像试图用勺子清空海洋一样。因此，科学家决定开发一种机器人大嘴鲈鱼，这是蚊子的主要捕食者。实际上，少年大嘴鲈鱼的饮食量超过80％。

机器人鱼的职责是强调蚊子，从而剥夺了他们的繁殖机会。结果，研究人员希望蚊子对本地，尤其是濒临灭绝的本地物种的问题将不再是一个问题。该计划是为了使蚊子繁殖较少，并使他们的人口随着时间的流逝而在那些不应该首先放在的水体中随着时间的流逝而减少。

How the Robotic Fish Works

During research, the fish-shaped robot was controlled by a rod extending from the bottom of a fish tank. A computer used a camera to guide the robot. Researchers varied the behavior of the robotic fish. Sometimes it swam at a constant speed, and other times it varied its speed. Scientists used their study of juvenile bass to create lifelike movements. They even had the robotic fish mimic attacks against the mosquitofish.

Scientists recorded mosquitofish behavior and were especially interested in actions associated with fear. Mosquitofish exposed to the robotic bass lost weight, which suggests they were experiencing significant stress. Fish with lower fat reserves are less likely to reproduce or survive in their environment.

Lab experiments have shown that real fish can be encouraged to follow robotic fish. In the future, scientists hope to use the technology not just to save populations from invasive species, but to help lead schools of fish away from pollution, oil spills, and other dangers.

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Photo Credit: Mert Karakaya, NYU Tandon