Juvenile Delinquents: An Examination of Stress Responses and Familiarity Bias in Juvenile Convict Cichlids

An Examination on Stress Response and Familiarity Bias in Juvenile Convict Cichlids

Convict cichlids are monogamous pair bonding fish frequently used as a model for social behaviors in aquatic vertebrates. While the social behaviors of adult cichlids are thoroughly researched, the mannerisms of the young convict cichlids are less explored. We ventured to investigate if social behaviors common to the adults would be present in juvenile cichlids that are not of reproductive age and, subsequently, may not have the same motivations to exhibit certain behaviors commonly seen in adults of the species. Experimental groups were placed upon several stress experiences, and their responses in relation to familiar ingroup members and unfamiliar outlier individuals were quantified and examined to ascertain if the fish exhibit preferential interactions with known individuals.