Individual Differences Guide Mate Choice in the Fighting Fish (Betta splendens)

Individual differences in behavior are observed in the variety of ways animals respond to environmental challenges, interact in a social group, take risks to access a resource, and so forth. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral reactions of male and female Siamese fighting fish (Bett...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of comparative psychology (1983) 2021-08, Vol.135 (3), p.338-348
Main Authors: Oliveira, Jéssica Janine de, Silva, Priscila Fernandes, Lopes, Fívia de Araújo, Luchiari, Ana Carolina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aggressiveness
Animal
Animal Aggressive Behavior
Animal Behavior
Animal Mate Selection
Animal Sex Differences
Assortative Mating
Female
Fish
Fishes
Gender differences
Male
Studies
Women
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Summary:Individual differences in behavior are observed in the variety of ways animals respond to environmental challenges, interact in a social group, take risks to access a resource, and so forth. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral reactions of male and female Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) in different contexts and how they affect female mate choice. A total of 100 females and 50 males were classified according to boldness, sociability, and aggression, and then female mate choice was observed based on male profile and body color. Our results showed sex-related differences in Siamese fighting fish behavioral profiles: Males exhibited a higher correlation with aggression and females with boldness. Both male and female behavioral profile affected female mate choice. Females preferred bold red and nonaggressive red males. Sex-related differences in behavioral profiles may reflect ecological differences between male and female Siamese fighting fish. Female mate choice could be related to behavioral profiles that indicate better parental care, as male features may influence parental care decisions and the development of offspring behavioral profiles.
ISSN:0735-7036
1939-2087
DOI:10.1037/com0000267