Demersal fish use of printed oyster shells as nesting habitat in North Inlet SC
Presentation Abstract
Demersal fishes including blennies use empty oyster shells as nesting sites. 3D printer technology was used to create standard nest substrates to describe relationships between blenny habitat use and nest site dimensions. Replicate printed shells of 2 gape widths (5, 7 mm) for each of 2 shell cavity volumes (22.1, 15 ml for Oysters A and B, respectively) were deployed and checked ~biweekly. The first nest substrate deployment (August-December 2018) tested whether or not blennies would use the printed shells. The second deployment (December 2018-present) is evaluating the hypothesis that larger fish select printed shells with larger cavity volume and/or gape width. Printed shells are occupied by blennies. Fish use increased with deployment time. Nesting fishes (average standard length = 48.7 mm, ± 7.1) occupy shells with larger (7 mm) gapes and larger (22.1 ml) volume more frequently. Relationships between shell dimensions and fish use and dimensions will be discussed.
Demersal fish use of printed oyster shells as nesting habitat in North Inlet SC
Brittain Hall, Room 112
Demersal fishes including blennies use empty oyster shells as nesting sites. 3D printer technology was used to create standard nest substrates to describe relationships between blenny habitat use and nest site dimensions. Replicate printed shells of 2 gape widths (5, 7 mm) for each of 2 shell cavity volumes (22.1, 15 ml for Oysters A and B, respectively) were deployed and checked ~biweekly. The first nest substrate deployment (August-December 2018) tested whether or not blennies would use the printed shells. The second deployment (December 2018-present) is evaluating the hypothesis that larger fish select printed shells with larger cavity volume and/or gape width. Printed shells are occupied by blennies. Fish use increased with deployment time. Nesting fishes (average standard length = 48.7 mm, ± 7.1) occupy shells with larger (7 mm) gapes and larger (22.1 ml) volume more frequently. Relationships between shell dimensions and fish use and dimensions will be discussed.