FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS) BIOLOGY

BIO 661
ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR LAB REPORT
PRACTICAL 2: AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR

GROUP : AS201 5(A)

MEMBERS NAME : NOR AMY SYAHIRA BINTI AHMAD RUSLAN(2016447456)

: NOR SYAHIRAH BINTI MAHMAD SHAUPI (2016447326)

: NURUL ALIYA BINTI ABDUL RAHMAN (2016447276)

LECTURER’S NAME : DR AIDA

PRACTICAL 2: AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR

INTORDUCTION

Aggressive is a complex phenomenon and has many definitions. One definition includes
predatory behaviour in which the animal that is attacked is eaten in the process. Other
definitions include aggression as behaviour that appears to be intended to inflict anxious
stimulation or destruction on other organisms (physiologists view, Mayor 1976). Lorentz
(1996) defined aggression as the “fighting instinct in animals which is directed against
members of the same family”. A more precise definition is agonistic behaviour which is a
system of behaviour patterns with the common function of adjustment to situations to conflict
among conspecifics. This includes threats, submissions, chases and physical combat include
territorial, dominance, sexual, parental, parent-offspring, predators and anti-predators.

PROCEDURE

In this practical, some aspects of the aggressive behaviour of this Siamese fighting fish will
be measured. The males were initially kept separated. Next the behaviour of the males in
isolation and later when they are exposed to each other. The moment when the fishes were
moved to the tables, the fishes were left there for at least 5 minutes to allow the fishes to
settle down. The barriers were not removed. The barriers are to be removed only when the
measurement were ready to be made. The behaviour patterns were observed for
approximately 20-30 minutes.

RESULTS

Fish A Fish B
Before After Before After
Swimming pattern No movement Left and right / Up and down Left and right /
Increase increase

Charging movement Passive/ no aggressive Passive but have Aggressive

movement movement
Fin movement Slow static Fast and Slow but have Fast and
increase movement increase
frequently
Mouth movement close and open Moderate open Frequently close Close
and close
Opercular cover gills moderate Rapid/ increase Moderate Rapid/increase
frequency frequency
Tail movement Slow and Fast and Slow and Faster / increase
frequency increase frequency
frequency
Change colour body Dull Intense/ dull Intense /
part brighten brighten