PRACTICAL 2: AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

Introduction:
Aggressive behavior is common in animal kingdom as it is crucial to ensure their survival
against other dominants. Aggression is a complex phenomenon and has numerous definitions.
According to Lorentz (1966), aggression is defined as the “fighting instinct in animals which is
directed against members of the same family”. A more precise definition for aggressive behavior
is agonistic behavior which is a system of behavior patterns with the common function of
adjustment to situations to conflict among conspecifics. This includes threats, submissions,
chases and physical combat but excludes predatory aggression. Biologists commonly distinguish
between two types of aggressive behavior, which are predatory or anti-predatory aggression, in
which animals are prey upon or defend themselves from other animals of different species, and
intraspecific aggression, in which animals will attack members of their own species. Territorial
dominance, sexual, parental, as well as parent-offspring are some other example of aggressive
behavior.

Objective:
 To observe the aggressive behavior in Siamese fighting fish, Beta spledens

Procedure:
1. The male Siamese fighting fishes were kept separated in different container
2. The behavior of the males during isolation were noted, as well as their behavior when
being exposed to each other
3. Then, two males were obtained for each group
4. The fishes were left with barrier between the two containers for at least 5 minutes to
allow them to settle down
5. After 5 minutes, the barrier was removed to observe the changes in behavior between the
two fishes
6. The behavior patterns were observed for approximately 20 – 30 minutes
7. The observation was recorded and tabulated
Results:

In isolation:
Parameters Observation
Fish 1 (Pink color) Fish 2 (Blue color)
Swimming patterns Subtle swimming pattern Subtle swimming pattern
Charging movements Does not swim aggressively Swim quite aggressively
Fin movements Slow, decrease in frequency Slow, decrease in frequency
Mouth movement Subtle movement Subtle movement
Opercular cover (gills) Subtle movement Subtle movement
Tail movements Slower Slower
Changes in coloration of No changes No changes
body parts

Exposed (Barrier was removed):

Parameters Observation
Fish 1 (Pink color) Fish 2 (Blue color)
Swimming patterns Up, increase in swimming Up, increase in swimming
pattern pattern
Charging movements Swim aggressively towards Swim aggressively towards
each other each other
Fin movements Fast, increase in frequency Fast, increase in frequency
Mouth movement Opening and closing rapidly Opening and closing rapidly
Opercular cover (gills) Rapid movement Rapid movement
Tail movements Faster Faster
Changes in coloration of No changes No changes
body parts
Discussion:
The study of animal behavior is a cornerstone of experimental psychology, shedding light
on how animals interact with each other and with their environments, and why they behave the
way they do. By studying animal behavior, humans can learn more about their own behavior. It is
a field known as comparative psychology.
Animal behavior research is particularly relevant to the study of human behavior when it
comes to preservation of a species, or how an animal’s behavior helps it survive. The behavior of
animals in stressful or aggressive situations, for example, can be studied to help find solutions
for humans in similar circumstances, or provide insight for dealing with depression, anxiety, or
similar mental health disorders. Animal behavior research also contributes to the study of
genetics by helping to resolve questions of nature vs. nurture, or which behaviors genes control
and which behaviors are products of our environment.
Betta splendens (Family Belontiidae) commonly known as the "Siamese Fighting Fish" is
native to tropical Southeast Asia including the northern Malay Peninsula, central and eastern
Thailand, Kampuchea, and southern Vietnam (Witte and Schmidt, 1992). They live and breed in
rice paddies, shallow ponds, and slow-moving streams, and are known for their ability to survive
in rather fetid, oxygen-poor water by gulping air from the surface, when necessary. Agonistic
(from the Greek agonistes, meaning "champion") behavior in animals is defined as that exhibited
during a contest, combat, escape, attack, or appeasement episode between two animals. The term
is often used to describe the display behaviors exhibited by male animals when they compete for
mating opportunities with females.
Male Bettas may fight to claim territory, or to protect their eggs or offspring from rival
males. But physical combat is invariably preceded by a display sometimes called "flaring." When
stimulated by the sight of a rival male (the releaser), a male Betta will exhibit several types of
genetically determined aggressive movements (fixed action patterns). The fish will spread his
fins, shudder his body, extend his gill opercula and membranes, and generally appear much
larger than his resting size. Bettas do not recognize themselves in a mirror and will display to
their reflections as aggressively as they might to another male.

Conclusion:
As a conclusion, aggressive behavior is crucial in animal kingdom as it helps in making
sure the survival of a certain species. Aggression, like all types of behavior, involves biological
forces, for example, neurobiological, genetic, hormonal, perinatal, traumatic, nutritional, and
brain chemistry processes. However, biological factors alone do not determine the development
of aggression. The social environment of the individual is a powerful regulator of
neurobiological processes and behavior. In other words, aggressive behavior is the outcome of
the regulation of external and internal stimuli by living beings. Furthermore, individual
differences in characteristic levels of aggression can be attributed to learning. Thus, it is
important to understand the multidimensional nature of aggression.
References:
Dzieweczynski, T. L., Russell, A. M., Forrette, L. M., & Mannion, K. L. (2013). Male behavioral
type affects female preference in Siamese fighting fish. Behavioral Ecology, 25(1), 136-
141.
Heppard, J. M. (2015). Resource value as a mediating factor of aggression during within-sex
competition between female Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens).
Kohlert, J. G., Mangan, B. P., Kodra, C., Drako, L., Long, E., & Simpson, H. (2012). Decreased
aggressive and locomotor behaviors in Betta splendens after exposure to fluoxetine.
Psychological reports, 110(1), 51-62.
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