Betta Behavior Lab

Natural Science Biology LabUniversity of Akron

#NSB2014 1

Today’s Lab will allow student to:

Demonstrate an understanding of ethology through careful observations.

Understand the difference between cues, stimuli, and triggers.

Differentiate between betta in the wild, versus betta raised in captivity.

Compare and contrast interspecific and intraspecific behaviors.

Describe betta behavior without using anthropomorphic terminology.

#NSB2014 2

Ethology = study of animal behavior Behaviors are responses to various stimuli A stimulus is anything that triggers a response

(ie. light, sight of food, rival male) One of the most common behaviors among

animals (including humans) is fighting

SPARRING

#NSB2014 3

The importance of animal contests

Why do animals fight? Food Defense Social status Territories for breeding/spawning

#NSB2014 4

Betta splendens: the Siamese Fighting Fish Males have evolved to be extremely aggressive Agonistic behaviors are exhibited between males

to assert dominance Dominant males have greater access to females

and thus higher fitness

#NSB2014 5

In lab today we will be…

Studying the behaviors of betta fish in response to various stimuli, cues, and triggers

Interpreting these behaviors in the context of natural selection (Why would certain behaviors be chosen for?)

Avoiding anthropomorphisms like “this fish is mad” or “that guy was scared”

#NSB2014 6

Where are bettas found in the wild?

• Rice Paddies• Slow moving streams

#NSB2014 7

How can bettas survive in murky, muddy rice paddies?

Labyrinth organ Allows fish to “gulp

air” Fish swims to the

surface and takes a gulp of atmospheric oxygen, which supplements the oxygen received through the gills

Still found in domesticated bettas

#NSB2014 8

Wild Betta brederi (different species)

#NSB2014 9

Selective breeding has produced amazing color variations

#NSB2014 10

Intraspecific behaviors

Agonistic behaviorsFin flickeringTail beatingRaising finsNipping or biting

Aggression against your own species#NSB2014 11

Interspecific behaviors

Individuals of different species compete for resources.

Examples – food, living space, sunlight

Students observing bettas may affect the experiment

#NSB2014 12

Note about animal ethics Fish get “stressed” much the same as we do Follow the guidelines described in the lab to

minimize undue stress All Animal research done in an Accredited

University has to go through IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) which provides intense, research-based protocols.

People cannot just do animal research – must be grounded in theory, use standard protocols, and be as ethical as possible#NSB2014 13

If you were a betta fish, what would your world look like, from inside that tiny tank?

#NSB2014 14