Researchers from ARC at James Cook University reared three successive generations of chromis, Acanthochromis polyacanthus, in aquariums with elevated temperatures. The scientists found that genes responsible for metabolism, stress, and immunity were significantly upregulated from generation to generation, meaning the fish were adapting (rather quickly within one generation to the next) to temperature stress at the genetic level.

The findings show how reef fish may be able to cope with increasing seawater temperatures (within reason) by upregulating specific genes.  More importantly for aquarists and breeders, the discovery reinforces the popularly held belief/experience that captive-bred fish are better suited for captivity than wild-caught fish, and that their adaptability actually occur at the genetic level.

The paper is published in peer-reviewed journal, Nature: Climate Change.