Bahia Groenewald

1. Intra- and inter- specific aggression in aquarium kept Cochu’s Blue Tetra (Knodusborki) Bahia Groenewald Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535 bahiagroenewald@gmail.com

2. Classification • Kingdom: Animalia • Phylum: Chordata • Class: Actinopterygii • Order: Characiformes • Family: Characidae • Genus: Knodus • Species: K. borki Introduction

3. Natural range: Amazon Basin (South American Rivers, Peru) • Description: Compatibility and recommendation; shoaling • Spawning Introduction www.myperuboliviatours.com

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. Methods Adapted from: Saxby et al., 2010

10. I would like to thank Dr. Knight for his guidance and support Acknowledgements