Factors influencing pairbond stability in convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum)

1997 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürg Lamprecht ◽  
Thomas Rebhan
Keyword(s):  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Convict Cichlids

Changes in Aggressive Interaction in Adjacently Territorial Convict Cichlids (Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum): a Study of Habituation

Behaviour ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 43-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Herz ◽  
Harman V.S. Peeke ◽  
James E. Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Continuous Exposure ◽  
Aggressive Interaction ◽  
Minute Exposure ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Uniform Pattern ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Stimulus Source ◽  
Exposure Conditions

AbstractPairs of male Convict Cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) were isolated from each other and then exposed in adjoining territories under one of two exposure conditions, either daily 20 minute exposure for 38-44 days or a massed continuous exposure for 24 or 28 hours. The incidence of biting and the duration of chin display for each fish was recorded. The duration of the chin display described a near uniform pattern of attenuation for both exposure conditions. The waning of the biting response was evident but it was more variable than the chin display. It was concluded that these behaviors both tend to habituate with repeated or constant exposure to the same stimulus source and that prolonged exposure facilitates the habituation of aggressiveness between territorial neighbors, thus promoting peace in a particular ecological niche.

Technique for Tagging Small Fish with I131 for Evaluation of Predator–Prey Relationships

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard J. FitzGerald ◽  
Miles H. A. Keenleyside
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Stomach Content Analysis ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
Convict Cichlids

Experiments to test the feasibility of using radioactive I131 as a technique for evaluation of conspecifïc predation on fry by adult convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) are described. The technique is useful for short-term quantitative studies of predator–prey interactions where it is not possible to observe and quantify predation directly or where stomach content analysis of adults is not feasible. Key words: radioactive tagging, predator–prey interactions, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum

The Effects of a Trade-Off Between Foraging and Brood Defense On Parental Behaviour in the Convict Cichlid Fish, Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum

Behaviour ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 120 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 123-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Rangeley ◽  
JEAN-GUY J. Godin
Keyword(s):  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Parental Effort ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Investment Theory ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Brood Defense ◽  
Energy Gains

AbstractParental convict cichlids, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum, responded to the presence of a potential brood predator by decreasing net energy gains (food intake decreased and energy expenditure increased) while increasing parental effort (large allocation of time to brood defense). These behaviours are important factors in the life-history trade-off between current and future reproductive investments. The allocation of energy into defense behaviours and elevated activity levels, combined with a voluntary reduction of food consumption, represent an investment in the current brood which could (in nature) reduce future reproduction. Contrary to parental investment theory predictions, consistent increases in parental effort with brood age were not evident.

Weight asymmetry and sequential assessment in convict cichlid contests

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marten A. Koops ◽  
James W. A. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Temporal Overlap

We staged contests between pairs of convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) that varied in weight ratio (larger/smaller) from 1.02 to 4.86 to test the predictions of the sequential assessment model. As predicted, contests proceeded in a consistent sequence of behaviour (lateral display, biting, mouth wrestling, and circling), the duration of contests was inversely correlated with weight ratio, and the duration of complete phases of behaviour was independent of weight ratio (a phase is complete if the contest escalates to the next behavioural phase). However, there was temporal overlap in the occurrence of different behaviour patterns and variation in the duration of contests that are not explained by the model. Nevertheless, the structure of convict cichlid contests is consistent with the logic of the sequential assessment model.

Effects of Parent and Offspring Food Rations On Parental Care in the Convict Cichlid Fish (Pisces, Cichlidae)

Behaviour ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 129 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 63-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Kieffer ◽  
Robert J. Lavery
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Cichlid Fish ◽  
Food Abundance ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
More Care

AbstractAnimals may provide more care for their young under certain environmental conditions. For instance, if food is plentiful parents may invest more in the current brood than if food is scarce, assuming that food abundance is correlated with parent and offspring condition. In this experiment, we manipulated food levels (low vs high) for both parents and offspring to determine if parental care is influenced by parental and/or offspring condition in the convict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. Parents which were fed a higher ration gained weight, whereas parents fed a lower ration lost weight. Similarly, young which were fed a higher ration were significantly larger than young fed a lower ration. Parents which were fed a higher ration defended their brood more vigorously than parents fed a lower ration. Offspring condition had little effect on parental care. Furthermore, females consistently invested more than males. The results show that parental convict cichlids adjust care in response to their own food supply rather than that of their offspring.

Breeding territoriality and pair formation in the convict cichlid (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum; Pisces, Cichlidae)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 960-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Mackereth ◽  
Miles H. A. Keenleyside
Keyword(s):  
Parental Investment ◽  
Pair Formation ◽  
Convict Cichlid ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Cichlid Fishes ◽  
Breeding Territory ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Investment Patterns ◽  
Spawning Sites

In many biparental species a sex difference in parental investment in a brood before fertilization, such as establishing a breeding territory or preparing a nest, may be an important component of the overall pattern of parental investment. Prefertilization investment patterns have been described for several species of biparental cichlid fishes, but there are discrepancies in the descriptions for the convict cichlid, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum. This study describes quantitatively the prespawning behaviour of male and female convict cichlids and examines the influence on their behaviour of limiting the number of available spawning sites. The results indicate that pair formation begins several days before spawning when the female begins to follow a male and chase other females away from him. The pair then begins to spend more time in a smaller area where spawning eventually occurs. The breeding territory is usually established by the pair on the day of spawning. There was little difference in the pattern of prespawning behaviour offish with abundant versus limited spawning sites. It appears that neither sex will establish a territory until the female is ready to spawn and the pair has formed.

Competition for Breeding Sites Between Monogamous Pairs of Convict Cichlids (Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum): Asymmetries in Size and Prior Residence

Behaviour ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Site ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Cichlasoma Nigrofasciatum ◽  
Convict Cichlids ◽  
Prior Residence

AbstractWhen pairs of convict cichlids (Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum) were forced to compete for breeding sites, intruding pairs were not able to displace residents when the intruding pair was the same size as the resident pair. This prior resident asymmetry was over-ridden when each individual of the intruding pair was larger than its same-sex counterpart in the resident pair. When only one member of the resident pair (of either sex) was the same size as its same-sexed counterpart while its mate was smaller than its counterpart in the intruding pair, the residents were able to retain control of the breeding site. Thus, only one member of the resident pair needed to be similar in size to its same-sex counterpart for the residents to retain control. Single residents, of either sex, were either displaced by the intruding pair, or formed a pair with an intruder and then remained on the site.

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