Page 269 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Box B12 Species‐specioic onsiderations eith Aquatics 241

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Figure B12.2 Even fish species which do not necessarily come to the surface to feed can be trained effectively,
for example this honeycomb whiptailed ray Himantura undulata was fed using feeding tongs which facilitated
target training in 1.5 m deep acclimation tank at the National Marine Aquarium. Source: Oliver Reed.

one. This does mean, although you still need If the fish are desensitised to a sling or a net,
the training to happen, it may move more firstly, they will be more relaxed leading to a
slowly as it is important to ensure the animal more accurate weight, the process will also
receives enough food. Having said that, keep- be less dangerous for all involved and can
ing track of the amount of food eaten by the mean less staff involvement.
fish, is a focal part of our training. ‘Crate training’ is not simple within tanks,
Many aquariums will not weigh their fish as most don’t have an off‐display section.
on a regular basis. However, it may be neces- Because fish are generally not moved from
sary to keep track of the health of some spe- tank to tank on a regular basis, crate training
cific individuals such as elasmobranchs or may not in fact be worth the effort. There are
young fish. This is where forward planning certain circumstances when it can be useful
which incorporates training can help no end to carry out a different version, i.e. moving
as without it, weighing can cause stress lead- fish for housekeeping reasons (problematic
ing to fish struggling and the process of anemones), or safety (venomous creatures
weighing can take longer than necessary. or sharp teeth!). With crate training and