Fish Personality Depends on other Fish Behavior
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FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2006
Rainbow trout which display bold or shy personality traits are influenced by watching the behavior of others, according to University of Liverpool researchers.
Based on the research, they found out that some fish alter their behavior according to that which they observe in other fish. An example is when the team presented the fish with Lego bricks to elicit a fear response. The bold fish approached the object within a few minutes whereas the shy fish took more than 10 minutes before it approached the object.
The researchers believe that the shy fish observing the bold fish decide their competitive ability is lower and so they do not try to alter their behavior. Bold fish, however, adapt their behavior to what others are doing and as a result of low social status.