System to detect the level of stress/discomfort of aquatic animals
System for detecting the level of discomfort of aquatic animals during experimental studies, with a water tank, a reference electrode placed at one of the sides of the tank, at least one recording electrode placed at another side of the tank, a bio amplifier for amplifying a received bio-signal at the recording electrode, a microprocessor for treating the signals and a low-pass filter for filtering the signals received. The system can provide a precise, quantifiable and specific indication of the level of stress/wellbeing of aquatic animals in normal living conditions as well as in experimental conditions without interfering with the animals' life.
1. System for detecting the level of discomfort of aquatic animals during experimental studies, the system comprising:
a water tank ( 1 ),
a reference electrode ( 2 ) covering the entire surface of one of the sides of the tank in direct contact with the water, and
an array of recording electrodes ( 3 , 3 a , 3 b ) in the form of printed circuit boards (PCB), covering the surface of another of the sides of the water tank, in direct contact with said side of the water tank,
a bio amplifier ( 4 ) for amplifying a received bio-signal at the recording electrode,
a micro-processor for treating the signals, and
a low-pass filter for filtering the signals received, capable of filtering signals up to 20 Hz.
2. System according to claim 1 wherein the reference and signal electrodes ( 2 , 3 ) are made of the same material.
3. System according to claim 2 wherein the electrodes are made of aluminum, copper or silver.
4. System according to claim 1 , wherein the electrodes ( 2 , 3 a , 3 b . . . ) are embedded in the walls of the tank ( 1 ).