Reproductive behavior of the Amazonian dwarf cichlid Apistogramma hippolytae Kullander, 1982: offsetting costs and benefits

Abstract

The reproduction trade-off for an animal is a conflicting choice in which resources (e.g., time and/or energy) allocated to one reproduction trait (e.g., parental care) become unavailable to other traits (e.g., future reproduction events). Here, we tested three hypotheses related to the parental care of the Amazonian dwarf cichlid Apistogramma hippolytae in its natural habitat of Central Amazonia: (1) brood-caring females have a lower feeding frequency than individuals that are not involved in this behavior; (2) females that spend more time on nest defense have lower feeding rates; and (3) females can recognize the species that present the greatest danger to its offspring and move farther from the nest to chase away these piscivorous fishes. We also described for the first time the reproductive behavior (including courtship) and parental care of this species. The results showed that maternal care produces a reduction in the rate of feeding of mothers, a greater amount of time is spent chasing invaders away from the nest, and reproductive females are able to distinguish species-specific predators. These observations support the hypotheses of this study and also suggest a trade-off between current and future reproduction events.

Take time to look at the fish: Behavioral response to acute thermal challenge in two Amazonian cichlids

“…The temperature for M. insignis is close to the average water temperature of 28.9°C for black waters in the region recorded in long‐term monitoring carried out by the Mamirauá Institute [2012–2017, https://www.mamiraua.org.br/sistemas-de-monitoramento]. We held A. agassizii at a slightly lower water temperature as this species tends to inhabit cooler forest streams (Carvalho et al, 2014; Rodrigues et al, 2012). The averaged DO concentration, conductivity, and pH of the holding tanks was 4.6 mg L ‐1 , 88.2 μS, and 6.2, respectively.…”

“…Digging behavior increased after T ag in both species, but was significantly higher in A. agassazii before and after T ag . This behavior is routinely observed in the A. agassizii during feeding, as Apistogramma species tend to feed on debris that accumulate in dead leaves and other materials on the substrate (Oliveira et al, 2017; Rodrigues et al, 2012). Apistogramma agassizii also uses dead leaves as shelter (personal observation, DK).…”

Habitat light sets the boundaries for the rapid evolution of cichlid fish vision, while sexual selection can tune it within those limits

“… a References: Britzke et al (2014), Froese and Pauly (2014), Konings (1990), Kullander (1986), Maan et al (2006), Rodrigues, Zuanon, Del‐Claro, and Carvalho (2012), Römer (1998), Römer and Hahn (2008), Witte and Van Oijen (1990). …”

Understanding behaviour to improve the welfare of an ornamental fish

“…In the former, both male and female care for the eggs and fingerlings in the substrate (Barlow, 2000; Teresa & Gonçalves‐de‐Freitas, 2011); in the latter, only the male or the female takes care of the eggs and fingerlings by keeping them inside its mouth, so‐called mouthbrooding (Balshine‐Earn & Earn, 1998; Fryer & Iles, 1972). Nevertheless, exceptions to this rule are sometimes observed ( e.g ., some species of a Neotropical genera of dwarf‐cichlids, Apistogramma Regan, 1913, may present female‐only care in the substrate and not in the mouth, as already described by Rodrigues et al ., 2012). Some African species show cooperative behaviour, with subordinate individuals helping parents to brood and to defend territory (Taborsky, 2016; Wong & Balshine, 2011).…”