Social chemosignals in five Belontiidae (Pisces) species.

Examined approach behaviors toward conspecific chemical stimuli of the opposite sex in 5 Belontiidae species: Betta splendens, Macropodus opercularis, Colisa labiosa, C. lalia, and Trichogaster trichopterus. Approach was measured by (a) preference for Section 1 of a 3-section tank, which contained a vertical tube that introduced the stimulus water, and (b) occupancy of the tube. Exps IA and IB showed that (a) approach behaviors were displayed by the isolated male Betta only to ripe-female stimulus water, (b) group-housed males of the remaining 4 species were not attracted to female-conditioned water, and (c) socially isolated males of these 4 species preferred Section 1 during presentation of either ripe- or nonripe-female-inhabited water but occupied the tube only during exposure to ripe-female-conditioned water. The findings of Exp IIA were that (a) the female Betta, regardless of physiological state, showed approach behaviors to male-inhabited water and (b) only ripe females of the remaining species indicated a preference for Section 1 during male-water exposure but performed no tube entries. Results of Exp IIB indicate that social isolation of the females, especially ripe females, facilitated their approach behaviors. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)