Social Behavior of a South American Leaf Fish, Polycentrus schomburgkii, with an Account of Recurring Pseudofemale Behavior

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Abstract
This account of social behavior is restricted to hostile, sexual, and parental behavior. The major color patterns can be characterized as banded juvenile, nonbreedlng brown adult, territorial black [male], spawning pale [female], and parental black [male]. A glossary is given of the motor patterns characterizing hostile behavior. An abstracted typical sequence of motor patterns is described as are details of orientation and of appeasement behavior. Mature [male]'' [male] hold territories which may be unusually small in aquaria. The most striking feature of the aggressive behavior is the near absence of damaging attacks. Much of the sexual behavior of the [male] involves motor patterns seen in hostile behavior. The [male] responds aggressively to the approach of the [female]. After entering his lair she capsizes and places her vent at the celling where the eggs are deposited. The $ remains below the [female] in a normal upright position, washing the sperm up to the eggs. Commonly during such a spawning, subordinate [male] [male] in the aquarium approach while the manifesting color patterns typical of the spawning [female][femlae]. If the dominant [male] attacks, these-[female][female]. may skim although in an upright position. Evidently the pseudo-[female] is attempting to steal a fertilization. The parental [male] fans the eggs or larvae, but sporadically. He removes intruders such as snails, but he does not retrieve the progeny. Remarkably the adults, breeding or nonbreedlng, were never seen to eat any of their own young; this is doubtless an adaptation necessary to the perpetuation of such an effective piscivore.