On the choice between eating and aggressive display in the Siamese fighting fish (Beta splendens)
Learning and Motivation, 5 (3):
273--287 (August 1974)Abstract
Reports results of 2 experiments with a total of 44 male Siamese fighting fish. In Exp I Ss were given a choice between food and a mirror image in a T maze. All Ss consistently preferred food. In Exp II the choice of Ss that lived in the T maze for the duration of the experiment was compared with the choice of Ss that were transferred to the T maze for each experimental session. Ss that lived in the T maze consistently preferred food, but Ss that were transferred showed a shift in preference toward mirror image. Differential inhibition of hunger and aggression by fear is suggested as the cause of the preference shift.