Alhadeff, Cayleigh

Arbasi, Behafarin

Castillo-Oritz, Diana

Davis, Yale

Mccutchen, Trisha

Nguyen, Huyen

English

Georgia State University

Cichlid Research  
Dr. Edmund Rodgers  
GSURC Abstract  
 
Hormone Response to Isolation vs Dynamic Social Environments in Convict Cichlids 
Contributors: Cayleigh Alhadeff, Yale Davis, Behafarin Arbasi, Diana Castillo-Oritz, Trisha Mccutchen, Huyen Nguyen 
 
Previous research on convict cichlids revealed that the removal of pair-bonded convicts 
from a dynamic tank environment to an isolated tank is negatively correlated with the 
expression of social behaviors. Convicts show more social behaviors (aggression, affiliation) 
when in a dynamic tank as compared to an isolated tank. In this experiment, we will sample 
hormones from male and female pairs of monogamous convict cichlids kept in dynamic group 
environments alongside conspecifics, then transferred to isolated environment free of 
conspecifics. We will examine the effect of social environment on the levels of two hormones; 
11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT) the most potent fish androgen, commonly associated with 
aggression, and cortisol, the hormone released in response to stress.  
Pairs will be identified and observed in the dynamic environment first with ten-minute 
observations and recording of total behavior. Hormones will be collected after observations in 
the dynamic environment. The same pairs will be transferred to individual ten-gallon aquariums 
and acclimated over a set course of time. After acclimation, the behaviors will be recorded, and 
hormone samples were taken. We expect to see elevated levels of 11-KT in the dynamic 
environment, but reduced levels of cortisol. Elevated levels of aggression are necessary to 
provide proper territory and nest defense. The fish will be as close to a natural environment in 
the dynamic tanks with conspecifics. We expect to see lower levels of 11-KT in the isolated 
tanks free of conspecifics, but higher levels of cortisol in the isolated tanks due to the lack of 
natural stimulus.  
 


Hormone response to isolation vs dynamic social environments in convict cichlids

ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University

Cichlid Research  Dr. Edmund Rodgers  GSURC Abstract   Hormone Response to Isolation vs Dynamic Social Environments in Convict Cichlids Contributors: Cayleigh Alhadeff, Yale Davis, Behafarin Arbasi, Diana Castillo-Oritz, Trisha Mccutchen, Huyen Nguyen  Previous research on convict cichlids revealed that the removal of pair-bonded convicts from a dynamic tank environment to an isolated tank is negatively correlated with the expression of social behaviors. Convicts show more social behaviors (aggression, affiliation) when in a dynamic tank as compared to an isolated tank. In this experiment, we will sample hormones from male and female pairs of monogamous convict cichlids kept in dynamic group environments alongside conspecifics, then transferred to isolated environment free of conspecifics. We will examine the effect of social environment on the levels of two hormones; 11-Ketotestosterone (11-KT) the most potent fish androgen, commonly associated with aggression, and cortisol, the hormone released in response to stress.  Pairs will be identified and observed in the dynamic environment first with ten-minute observations and recording of total behavior. Hormones will be collected after observations in the dynamic environment. The same pairs will be transferred to individual ten-gallon aquariums and acclimated over a set course of time. After acclimation, the behaviors will be recorded, and hormone samples were taken. We expect to see elevated levels of 11-KT in the dynamic environment, but reduced levels of cortisol. Elevated levels of aggression are necessary to provide proper territory and nest defense. The fish will be as close to a natural environment in the dynamic tanks with conspecifics. We expect to see lower levels of 11-KT in the isolated tanks free of conspecifics, but higher levels of cortisol in the isolated tanks due to the lack of natural stimulus.   

https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1689&amp;context=gsurc

Hormone response to isolation vs dynamic social environments in convict cichlids

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