Agonistic behavior of juvenile Stichaeus punctatus (Pisces: Stichaeidae)

Abstract

A qualitative and quantitative description of the agonistic behavior of juvenile Stichaeus punctatus was undertaken with seven recognizable actions being observed. Dominant and subordinate fish differed in the frequency and duration of these actions and in coloration. The sequence of actions in agonistic bouts followed definite patterns and became less complex with increasing length of an encounter.