The Behaviour and Brain Function of the Cichlid Fish Hemihaplochromis Philander

Abstract

Forebrain extirpations from Hemihaplochromis philander (Pisces: Cichlidae) resulted in a decrease of aggressive (territorial), courtship, and spontaneous behaviour. The stimulus-response latency was found to be increased by the extirpations. Forebrainless males were unable to distinguish between male and female conspecifics on a visual basis. Abnormal responses to certain stimuli occasionally resulted in accidents suggesting a failure of neural feedback mechanisms.