a b s t r a c t
Females of the fighting fish Betta splendens have been shown to associate with other B. splendens females
in a manner reminiscent of shoaling behavior. Since body coloration varies dramatically in this species,
and since body coloration has been shown to affect shoalmate choice in other species of fish,we examined
the influence of body coloration on association preferences in female B. splendens. In dichotomous choice
tests, B. splendens females spent more time swimming near groups of females (regardless of coloration)
than swimming near an empty chamber, and chose to swim near fish of similar coloration to their own
when choosing between two distinctly colored groups of females. When examining the interplay between
body coloration and group size, focal fish spent more time swimming near larger groups (N= 5) of similarly
colored fish than swimming near an individual female of similar coloration. However, focal fish showed no
preference when presented with an individual female of similar coloration and a larger group of females
of dissimilar coloration. These results suggest that association choices in B. splendens females are strongly
affected by both body coloration and by group size
a b s t r a c t
Females of the fighting fish Betta splendens have been shown to associate with other B. splendens females
in a manner reminiscent of shoaling behavior. Since body coloration varies dramatically in this species,
and since body coloration has been shown to affect shoalmate choice in other species of fish,we examined
the influence of body coloration on association preferences in female B. splendens. In dichotomous choice
tests, B. splendens females spent more time swimming near groups of females (regardless of coloration)
than swimming near an empty chamber, and chose to swim near fish of similar coloration to their own
when choosing between two distinctly colored groups of females. When examining the interplay between
body coloration and group size, focal fish spent more time swimming near larger groups (N= 5) of similarly
colored fish than swimming near an individual female of similar coloration. However, focal fish showed no
preference when presented with an individual female of similar coloration and a larger group of females
of dissimilar coloration. These results suggest that association choices in B. splendens females are strongly
affected by both body coloration and by group size
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