Does size matter? Assessment and fighting in small and large size‐matched pairs of adult male convict cichlids

Abstract

Contests between matched pairs of sexually mature convict cichlids Archocentrus nigrofasciatus were staged to determine if size alone affected the ways in which the males fought. Both small and large contests began with a period of visual displays. As fights progressed, displays diminished, and were replaced by more escalated behaviours. Small and large contests were also of similar duration. Despite these consistencies with sequential assessment, large and small contests were not entirely alike. For example, large males engaged in more lateral displays and were slower to escalate than small males. Small males displayed less and escalated to biting sooner than large males. Two possible explanations are suggested for these contrasts in contest structure: absolute opponent size and differences in the males' ages coupled with differences in experience.

Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on growth and survival of the Mexican cichlid, Cichlasoma beani in culture conditions

“…Artificial foliage consisting of green plastic strips attached to an inert glass weight in each tank was placed. Two segments of PVC tubing (10 cm long and 2.54 cm diameter) were placed to provide shelter for the fish at the possibility of the emergence of aggressive behavior typical of species in the cichlid family (Grant et al, 2002;Leiser et al, 2004;Arnott & Elwood, 2009;Heg, 2010;Lorenz et al, 2011).…”

Aggressive behaviour and energy metabolism in a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

“…Competing males use a ritualized sequence of visual, acoustic, and tactile signals that may escalate to overt (physical) aggression during agonistic interactions [1][2][3][4]. This sequence has been interpreted as a way to sort out winners and losers at an early stage of the conflict, thereby preventing the escalation of the fights during which both parties incur physical damage ( [5][6][7][8][9][10], but see [11]).…”

Mechanosensory signaling as a potential mode of communication during social interactions in fishes

“…contact behaviors) stayed the same or increased (Leiser et al, 2004). In the African cichlid, Astatotilapia burtoni, lateral-line-ablated males performed predominantly contact behaviors and had an altered fight structure compared with males with intact lateral line systems (Fig.…”

“…Game theory research indicates that most aggressive interactions follow a stereotypical structure (Enquist et al, 1990;Leiser et al, 2004). For example, fights are normally instigated with a lateral display (or other non-contact behavior) and continue with the use of less-dangerous non-contact behaviors.…”