Changes in male courting frequency in pairs of the cichlid fish, Sarotherodon (Tilapia) mossambicus, with unlimited or with only visual contact

Abstract

Observations were made of approximately 60 adult male and female Sarotherodon (Tilapia) mossambicus. Males residing with females (unlimited contact) displayed significantly more than males in aquaria adjacent to females with only visual contact. In addition, unlimited contact males showed increased courting prior to female oviposition, whereas males with only visual contact exhibited little change in courting frequency throughout the interval between spawnings. Changes in chemical stimuli broadcast by females could account for the results, but other nonvisual modes could be important, especially under field conditions.