Social Facilitation of Feeding Behavior in Fresh-Water Fish

(1) Rhodeus, Acheilognathus and Rhinogobius

Abstract

The social facilitation phenomena of feeding behavior observed experimentally in each group of fish, Rhodeus, Acheilognathus and Rhinogobius, are reported here. The following results were obtained :
1). As was clearly shown in the experiment on the social facilitation phenomenon of feeding behavior in young fish of Rhodeus, the significant difference among 1, 2- and 4-grouped fish on the feeding rate per 100mg body weight of fish were observed.
2). It was found that the phenomenon concerned is occurred probably by adult of Acheilognathus, too.
3). Although, facilitation rate lower than in guppy, the phenomenon was also observed in group of young adult Rhinogobius.
4). While, in the case of four or more number of individuals of the stimulators, the feeding amount in the reacting fish, Rhinogobius, came to maximum and constant value.
5). Importance on a process of social facilitation depended upon 'the presence recognition effect' was pointed out by these experiments.