Bluegill are extremely sensitive to environmental adjustments in their water, and now we are using them to help us detect toxic chemicals in the nation's drinking supply.
The fish are being used in a system called the Intelligent Aquatic BioMonitoring System where 8 bluegill sit in a tank that is circulated with drinking water on a 24 hour basis.
The bluegill are monitored by electronics that are programmed to alert a human when the bluegill begin to show signs of minor chemical agitation.
When the computer pick up a deviation from normal body functioning, an e-mail is sent to workers who notify the proper authorities.
The system has already picked up a diesel spill 2 hours before any other sensors were aware of the problem in New York's drinking supply.
Bluegill are rotated in the system, which is basically a holding tank with sensors that costs $45,000.
The bluegills go on break, after working for long periods of time, and they are feed good food and just left to rest.
The bluegill computer system is far superior to any pure electronic system, because bluegills are programmed by nature to respond to most any chemical that would affect humans, but a computer can only detect toxins which it has been programmed to detect.
So, the next time you see a bunch of bluegill belly up at your favorite fishing spot it could be an indication of a toxic spill, and you should report it to your local fish commission to avert a potential disaster.
The bluegill apparently cough to attempt to spit out any toxins that may be affecting their system.