1. Member

Dr. Naoki Kamezaki (Okayama University of Science) Dr. Takahide Sasai (Suma Aqualife Park) Dr. Takehide Ikeda (Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University)

Dr. Jansen Zuanon (INPA)
Tiago Pires (INPA)

2. Background

Ecology of many Amazonian Fishes has not been revealed. Especially for small fishes that are not regarded as commercially important, it is known very little. Small fishes that lives in urban stream, has also been concerned that they are under the influence of water pollution. In addition, edible large fish is also endangered by overfishing. It is very important to establish breeding and keeping technology.

3. Objective, methods and expected results

In this study, we are aiming to clarify the ecology of Amazonian fishes primarily from experiments in captivity. For small fishes, we would like to know the behavior change by visual, olfactory and other stimuli such as pollution. For large fish, we clarify the basic ecology by keeping juvenile. On the other hand, we are developing a method that enables to estimate the total length and age by measuring the scale of Pirarucu, etc. These results can estimate the impact of environmental pollution and overfishing by urban development and population growth, and would be very important resource for conservation.

4. Contribution for the Field Museum

There is little opportunity for people lives in Manaus to see the domestic fishes in nature. in “science woods”, we will try to display an artificial stream with a collection of typical fish species that inhabit around Manaus as the content of the Field Museum. In addition, we will develop and exhibit an experimental aquarium that shows water pollution and its impact to the fish. Specifically, we are planning to build a tank with changing the water quality regularly, and you can learn how it influence the electric fish by listening sounds converted from electrical signals in real time. It’s scheduled to go focus on education about the crisis and the diversity in Amazon from the exhibition of Blackwater, Whitewater and polluted water.

5. Inpact and contribution for human resource development

We believe we can contribute to the development of students and researchers with Japanese cutting-edge technology being brought in local. In addition, we are also scheduling training local staff in Japanese aquarium.