Article,
Muscle metabolic changes during the first six hours of cohabitation in pairs of male Betta splendens
Physiology and Behavior, 49 (6): 1301--1303 (June 1991)
Abstract
Examined muscle metabolic effects of aggression during the first 6 hrs of dyadic contests in 72 male Betta splendens. In the first 10 min, the free amino acid content of the carcass was reduced. At the end of the fight (after 30 min), a significant reduction in glycogen content and an increase in free glucose were noted, while amino acids were still reduced. The reduction in glycogen was more intense, while the increase in free glucose was smaller in losers. These modifications disappeared after 360 min, but at this time a significant reduction of protein content (both in winners and losers) and an increase of amino acids in winners were noticed. Results are consistent with the assumption that fight is a large physical effort for fish.
