Pheromonal control of aggressive display in Siamese fighting fish ( Betta splendens )
Perceptual and Motor Skills, 42 (1):
47--54 (February 1976)Abstract
Conducted 3 experiments with a total of 160 male Siamese fighting fish to determine (a) the role that pheromone-like substances play in the release and maintenance of aggression in the initial stages of combat and (b) whether some secretory mechanism independent of torn fins was capable of suppressing aggressive display in the later stages of combat. Ss displayed and respirated from the surface more frequently in water containing secretions collected from nondisplaying male conspecifics than they did in clean water. Secretions collected from Ss given the opportunity to display to a mirror for 16, 30, 45 min did not affect display activity. However, secretions collected from Ss allowed to display to a mirror for 16 min produced an increase in respiration rates. Secretions collected from Ss which had been stressed by electric shock resulted in decrements in aggressive display. Results of these experiments suggest that male Siamese fighting fish secrete substances which affect mirror-induced aggression and respiration rates.