1. Intra- and inter- specific aggression
Intra- and inter- specific aggression in aquarium kept Cochu's Blue Tetra (Knodus borki)
2/23/2011
Intra- and inter- specific aggression
in aquarium kept Cochu’s Blue Tetra
(Knodus borki)
Bahia Groenewald
Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535

2. Introduction Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata
Intra- and inter- specific aggression in aquarium kept Cochu's Blue Tetra (Knodus borki)
2/23/2011
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Characiformes
Family: Characidae
Genus: Knodus
Species: K. borki
Introduction
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

3. Introduction Natural range: Amazon Basin (South American Rivers, Peru)
Description: Compatibility and recommendation; shoaling
Spawning
Introduction
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

4. Aggressive behaviour is a term used to cover aspects of fighting, since no simple distinctions are between the initiation of a fight, attack and retaliation or defence.
In an attempt to organize various aspects of aggressive behaviour into discrete categories, 3 main criteria arise:
Situation in which behaviour is shown
The functions it serves, and
Its motivational basis.
The relationship between intra and inter specific aggression:
Intra-aggression is between members of the same species
Inter-aggression is between members of different species
Introduction
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

5. Intra- and inter- specific aggression in aquarium kept Cochu's Blue Tetra (Knodus borki)
2/23/2011
To establish if Knodus borki is aggressive both within species and between species when kept in hobbyist aquariums.
To determine if aggression levels can be ameliorated.
Study aims
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

6. Research Questions Does shoaling make an individual more aggressive ?
Are they more aggressive in larger shoals?
Is intra-specific aggression related to size and sex of fish?
Is there more intra-specific or more inter-specific aggression in Knodus borki?
Research Questions
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

7. Hypotheses Fish are less aggressive in larger shoals
Normal aggression in this species will be displayed almost exclusively to conspecifics
In small or crowded aquaria, K. Borki will get frustrated and likely become aggressive towards other species of fish
Hypotheses
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

8. Experimental fish: Knodus borki is kept in a single species tank for the purpose of intra-specific aggression study.
For the purpose of inter-specific aggression study, another species of fish (preferably shoaling species) will be added to the tank (the species for this is not yet determined).
Fish will be filmed, for a duration of two weeks for 20 min twice a day(one week each for intra- and inter-specific analyses), and observed behaviours will be recorded respectively.
Methods
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

9. Methods Behavioural observations Darting behaviour & Aggression
Darting: where fish are being chased or just swimming around
Aggression: based on the total number of attacks and chases within the tank
Shoaling
Shoaling: is known to reduce aggression in many species, and lack of this can increase aggression
Methods
Adapted from: Saxby et al., 2010
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald

10. I would like to thank Dr. Knight for his guidance and support
Acknowledgements
Honours Science Methodology Project Proposal Seminar: BCB Dept. 23rd Feb 2011_ Bahia Groenewald