Effects of pH on the rate of aggressive display for mirror image reinforcement in siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Mercury chloride (HgCl2) is a toxic mercury salt and a major pollutant, that can be found in soil, water and air, with influences on behavior, physiology and adaptation to the environment. In this study two experiments were designed to examine interactions and effects of HgCl2 on some behavioral patterns of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). In the first experiment we tested the effect of a progressive dose (five 0.04 mg) on aggressive display with exposure to a mirror, whereas in the second experiment we tested the effect of an acute dose (0.2 mg) on the aggressive display with exposure to a mirror. The experiments were performed on 5 consecutive sessions at intervals of 18 hours between sessions. Differences of performance were shown by subjects in the acute and progressive treatments when compared with a control treatment in the majority of behaviors evaluated, namely Floating, Slow Swimming, Wavy Swimming, Emerging, Bend, Square Move and Motor Display Components. Acute treatment was different from control only on Show Body, while the progressive group differed on Resting, Horizontal Display and Appropriate Display Components. Differences between Correlate Display Components and Total were also shown. Both the acute and progressive contamination with HgCl2 decrease the motor activity in the aggressive display, mirror-image test of Betta splendens, mainly on the progressive dose. This implies an impairment on feeding behavior, predator avoidance, reproductive behavior, mate choice and territoriality. These results suggest that in this fish species, the progressive dose has a greater effect on behavior in general and that both the acute and progressive contamination with mercury chloride affect many other aspects of behavior.

Download Full-text

On the choice between eating and aggressive display in the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Learning and Motivation ◽

10.1016/0023-9690(74)90011-3 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 273-287 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jerry A. Hogan

Keyword(s):

Siamese Fighting Fish ◽

Betta Splendens ◽

Aggressive Display

Download Full-text

Habituation of Conspecific Aggressive Responses in the Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens)

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/156853970x00321 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 232-245 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Harman V.S. Peeke ◽

Shirley C. Peeke

Keyword(s):

Siamese Fighting Fish ◽

Mature Male ◽

Betta Splendens ◽

Aggressive Display ◽

Aggressive Behaviors ◽

Response Decrement ◽

Conspecific Male ◽

Plastic Tube ◽

Male Stimulus ◽

Clear Plastic

AbstractMature male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) were presented with a conspecific male confined in a clear plastic tube for either 15 minutes per day for 20 days (group E 15) or 60 minutes per day for 5 days (group E 60). A third group was presented with this aggression eliciting conspecific male stimulus for 15 minutes on days 1 and 2 and again on days 19 and 20. This group (group C 15) was designed to control for post-stimulation waning of aggressive behaviors independent of constant stimulation and also to control for response decrement as a simple function of time. Two components of the aggressive display and frequency of biting were recorded. It was found that with groups E 15 and E 60 all aggressive behaviors habituated. In general, habituation was more rapid with the short stimulation periods than with the longer ones, although qualitative differences were also found and described. Comparisons of groups E 15 and C 15 showed that repeated daily exposures to the aggression eliciting stimulus were necessary to obtain habituation and that two days of 15 minute stimulation followed by 16 days of no stimulation did not result in response decrement on any of the measures recorded.

Download Full-text

The Relation Between Eliciting Stimulus Strength and Habituation of the Threat Display in Male Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta Splendens

Behaviour ◽

10.1163/156853972x00112 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 42 (1-2) ◽

pp. 63-96 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Michael H. Figler

Keyword(s):

Rest Period ◽

Siamese Fighting Fish ◽

Mirror Image ◽

Betta Splendens ◽

Stimulus Strength ◽

Two Dimensional ◽

Response Decrement ◽

Response Theory ◽

Response Level ◽

Competing Response

AbstractThe threat display of the male Siamese fighting fish (Betta spiendens) is a highly integrated phenomenon, involving approach, extension of the gill covers (opcrculae) and brachiostegal membranes, erection of the medial fins, intense deepening of body color, orientation movcmcnts, and undulatory movements. Many qualitatively different stimuli are capable of eliciting the complete threat display (e.g., live male Betta, mirror image, two dimensional cut-out). However, the relations between the initial eliciting strength of the threat stimulus and the degree of habituation, retention, and recovery of habituation have not been systematically investigated. These relations are important in an eliciting stimulus and competing response theory of habituation like that of RATNER (1970). To investigate the above relations, 40 adult male Bettas were randomly assigned to four independent groups (n = 10). Each S in a particular group was exposed to one of four different eliciting stimuli for two 40 minute sessions separated by a 24 hour rest period. The four thrcat elicitors were: a live unhabituated, highly responsive male Bettca (Unhab. male); a mirror image (Mirror) ; a livc habituatcd, relatively unrcsponsive male Betta (Hab. male) ; and a two dimensional cut-out of a male Betta in lateral display (Cut-out). During threc ro minute observation periods in each session, five different reliable components of the display were simultaneously recorded: air gulping frequency (AG), gill cover erection frequency (GF), gill cover erection duration (GD), fin erection frequency (FF), and fin erection duration (FD). For all five dependent measures, the Unhab. male stimulus was the strongest elicitor followed by the Mirror, Hab. male and Cut-out stimuli, respectively. Only two of the dependent measures (GD, FD) showed a systematic decrement for all stimulus groups. With respect to both of these measures, initial eliciting stimulus strength (response level during the first 10 minute observation) was positively related to absolute response decrement, and proportion of recovery of habituation. Initial eliciting stimulus strength was inversely related to the proportion of decrement across sessions, and the proporton of retention of habituation over a 24 hour period. Four of the threat components (GF, GD, FF, FD) were highly positively related. AG was shown not to be an integral component of the display, itself. The data provided support for portions of an eliciting stimulus and competing response theory of habituation.

Download Full-text

Pheromonal Control of Aggressive Display in Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta Splendens)

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1976.42.1.47 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 47-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Stephen W. Colyer ◽

Cathy Jenkins

Keyword(s):

Electric Shock ◽

Siamese Fighting Fish ◽

Betta Splendens ◽

Aggressive Display ◽

Clean Water ◽

Respiration Rates

Male Siamese fighting fish displayed and respirated from the surface more frequently in water containing secretions collected from non-displaying male conspecifics than they did in clean water. Secretions collected from males given the opportunity to display to a mirror for 16, 30, or 45 min. did not affect display activity. However, secretions collected from males allowed to display to a mirror for 16 min. produced an increase in respiration rates. Secretions collected from males which had been stressed by electric shock resulted in decrements in aggressive display. Taken together, results of these experiments suggest that male Siamese fighting fish secrete substances which affect mirror-induced aggression and respiration rates.

Download Full-text