Sleep Characterization in Betta Splendens: An Observational Study

Pharmaceuticals are becoming a large pollutant due to inefficient filtration methods from wastewater treatment plants. Some of the most common pharmaceutical pollutants are antidepressants, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are a type of psychoactive drug that alters an organism’s cognition by blocking the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. The blocking floods the synapse and increases postsynaptic binding potential. Currently, the most common SSRI, fluoxetine (FLX), has been seen in every water matrix type, ranging from fresh water to glaciers, indicating an ever present pollutant problem. However, what is unknown are the literal downstream effects: how does this affect aquatic fauna? To answer this, we investigate the aggression, sleep, and circadian rhythm cycles of the Betta splendens when treated acutely with FLX. Betta splendens, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a well known aggression model previously shown to have decreased aggression and motor movement from exposures, but what is unclear is the reasoning behind the change in behavioral output. Our lab is focused on replicating the findings of prior studies on aggression while also categorizing behavior of sleep which has yet to be reported. By using an automatic tracking system to determine how much the fish move over time, as well as using an ethogram to score aggression and sleep-like qualities, we can report on how activity levels change from FLX administration and if sleep is impacted at all by FLX in fish, potentially causing the known hypolocomotion.