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Publication
Preferences for the presence of substrate in male cichlid fish: Effects of social dominance and context
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Many cichlid species dig spawning pits or nests in soft bottoms and exhibitmany substrate
oriented activities. Despite this fact being of general knowledge, captive cichlids in
laboratory and aquaculture set-ups are often kept in the absence of a soft substrate that
they can manipulate. This raises a potential welfare issue, depending on how the substrate
is valued by cichlid fish. The aim of this study is to assess the importance of substrate for
male Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) in social and non-social contexts.
Preferences were established as a measure of time spent in two choice compartments,
before and after the presence of a female. Locomotory activity, social interactions and
substrate-related behaviours were recorded. Results show that dominant males prefer the
area with substrate regardless of social context, and that female’s presence strengthens
this preference. The same preference is not apparent in the subordinate males, except for
foraging. To draw conclusions on the importance of substrate to subordinates, preferences
should also be assessed in agonistic contexts, during which substrate may serve to displace
aggression. These results, together with related previous studies, show that the lack of
substrate is particularly deleterious in a reproductive context, and thus it is likely to
decrease the welfare state of breeding males of Mozambique tilapia.
Description
Keywords
Preferences Choice tests Substrate Tilapia Fish welfare
Citation
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 120, 224-230