Behavioural responses to different types of predators by sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus: an experimental study

Abstract

Predation risk influenced the behaviour of Pomatoschistus minutus during both reproductive and non-reproductive seasons. Reproductive rate was the same with and without predators, but different types of antipredator behaviour were seen in different treatments. When "attacked' by a tern model, the fish burrowed in the sediment, but when cod Gadus morhua was present in the tank, the gobies stayed on the sediment surface, forming groups. Individual P. minutus were often found close to the cod, seemingly inspecting the predator. -from Authors