My classroom has been working with a research lab at the University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign. It is run by
Dr. Justin Rhodes, a research physiologist and biologist who studies the genetic and neurological basis of behavior. His lab is breeding clownfish and studies the physiological and behavioral changes that occur when they switch genders. His son Avi attends Stratton and works on the project. Dr. Rhodes gave us a bunch of juvenile clownfish for our 180 gallon tank and we are observing how they are pairing off and establishing territory.
We took a field trip last month to his lab at the
Bechman Institute.
In these pictures a grad student Ross (also a Reef Central member) is showing some students some clown fish larva. Behind him are the breeding tanks.
Kids are feeding rotifers to juvenile clownfish (sorry for the rotated picture, i can't edit it from my phone)
Dr. Rhodes is showing some students a display tank outside of his lab.