Identification of fish behaviours in littoral habitats of Lake Buyo (south-west Ivory Coast) using video surveillance

Abstract

Video surveillance is a non-extractive and less disruptive method of observing fish in their natural environment. Increasingly used, this technique makes it possible to describe the behaviour of fish in their habitat. In Côte d'Ivoire, the use of waterproof cameras for ichthyological purposes is still not widespread. This study proposes to use video surveillance to identify the different behaviours performed by fish in the littoral habitats of the Buyo dam lake. The objective is to know the mode how fish use the littoral habitats of Lake Buyo in order to provide managers with important data for developing programmes to preserve and manage these environments. Four unbaited camera systems were deployed at each station between 7 am and 6 pm. In the laboratory, various criteria were used to identify the behaviour of the fish. The results show that 8 species of fish frequented the littoral habitats of Lake Buyo to feed, reproduce and protect themselves from predators. Feeding (62.70%) was the most frequently observed activity, followed by reproduction (32.32%). The Dera and Pk15 stations recorded the highest number of species and behaviours. These behaviours varied according to species; Coptodon zillii stood out by displaying the highest average frequency (32.12 activities/day) of all types of behaviour observed in fish. The data from this study are essential for developing strategies to effectively conserve coastal areas in order to ensure the long-term survival of the species.