The Fish Ecology Group at IMEDEA has the equipment and expertise to tackle most of the techniques and infield approaches used for the study of fish ecology at different levels. These include i) underwater procedures such as animal tagging, tracking, and imaging; ii) laboratory experimentation including physiological monitoring and experimental tanks; iii) early life and adult fish sampling thanks to the extensive set of planktonic and benthic gears; iv) otolith age determination and microchemical analysis supported by large equipment to preserve, prepare and analyse otoliths; v) indoor facilities for dissection, sampling, processing or storage of samples, among others. vi) our own 5.5 m boat and access to all IMEDEA, CSIC and SOCIB boats.

Facilities

Otoliths analysis

Otoliths analysis
  • Laboratory facilities for otoliths preparation (i.e. embedding, cutting, sanding and polishing by manual and mechanical means) to determine fish age (annual and daily readings)
  • High resolution microscopes (with fluorescent light source) and advanced image analysis software
  • Micromill, clean facilities and access to LA-ICPMS for otolith microchemistry
  • Precision scale (Max 52g; d=0.001mg) on weighing table

Animal tagging and tracking

Animal tagging and tracking
  • Acoustic tracking receivers
  • Other equipment related to this line of work

Fish physiology

  • Oxymeter,  PreSens, model  oxy-4 mini, of 4 channels
  • Respirometer methacrlyate chamber (200mm diameter x 400mm length)
  • Egg densitometer

Underwater imaging

Underwater imaging

Submarine cabled observatory equipped with 4 channels for semi-permanent deployment at seas for long term in-situ observations.

4 x baited stereoscopic  underwater camera systems (BRUVs) for in situ size spectra analysis

Small ‘flying array’ for underwater videos i.e. for habitat mapping and benthic community descriptions. Can be deployed by hand from small boats up to a depth of 50-60 metres.

Laboratory space for wet and dry sample preparation

Laboratory space for wet and dry sample preparation
  • Wet laboratory space for dissection and sample processing work
  • Dry laboratory for sample preparation, equipped with fume hoods and extractors for work with hazardous materials
  • Stereo- and compound microscopes with digital (video/photo) cameras
  • Access to in house drying ovens and muffle furnaces
  • Access to in house sieves and rattler for grain size analysis

Laboratory experimentation in tanks

Laboratory experimentation in tanks
  • For small tank experiments two temperature controlled rooms are available on site
  • Access to the Aquaculture facility LIMIA with facilities for larger scale experimentation

 

Boats

  • Research groups own boat DONZELLA (Quicksilver  R510 Cruiser) a hard bottom boat of xx m and an outboard motor of xx
  • Access to IMEDEA´s research boats:  a) VIROT SEXTO semi-rigid inflatable (ZODIAC- PRO16MAN) of 6 m length and a 90 hp YAMAHA outboard engine. b) IMEDEA (Rodman) a rigid bottom boat with cabin of 11.2 m length and a diesel inboard engine.

Sampling devices

Sampling devices
  • Bongo nets (mouth opening of 20,40,90) and nets ranging 200 to 2000 microns
  • WP2 open-close nets from 25 to 50 cm opening, nets of 53 microns
  • Ring net (80 cm diameter, 1000 microns net)
  • Benthic sled for juvenile sampling
  • Light traps for postlarvae (models Ecocean and Quatrefoil)

  • Scuba diving equipment. Access to in house and mobile compressor for Scuba diving air refills

Sample storage

  • Different freezers  at -20ºC and -80ºC
  • Fridges at 4ºC 

Experimental facilities

  • Access to LIMIA experimental aquaculture station
  • Two y-maze flume chambers with flowmeters for fish choice experiments