Norepinephrine elicitation of aggressive display responses in Betta splendens

Abstract

From arguments elucidated by D. H. Funkenstein and others, it was hypothesized that the aggressive display of the Siamese fighting fish was under hormonal (i.e., norepinephrine) control. Fighteen visually isolated fish were observed for 10 min. each under a plain water control condition and with norepinephrine bitartrate solutions in their individual living tanks. Significant increases in the frequency of fin extensions and gill flaring responses, as well as increased coloration were found for the drug group. Six fish treated with epinephrine bitartrate resembled fish under the control condition except for color change; all six bleached during observation. © 1966, Psychonomic Press. All rights reserved.