EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS ON A SCHOOLING FISH, KUHLIA SANDVICENSIS ,

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Abstract
The object of this research was to discover chemical substances which, in exceedingly dilute proportions, induce blindness or act as extreme irritants or repellents to effect a rapid dispersion of schooling fish. Types of chemicals found most successful thus far in effecting the dispersal of the schooling fish, Kuhlia sandvicensis, are: halogenated ketones, organic thiocyanates (particularly unsaturated, halogenated and nitrated), nitrated olefins, and inorganic cyanides. In general it has been found that sulfur and a high degree of halogenation in an organic molecule increase the desired irritant property. Chemicals possessing power as lachrymators and skin irritants are most apt to be effective as fish dispersing agents, and the most effective compounds of a related series are usually those of lowest molecular weight, presumably because of their greater solubility in sea water.