Comparative analysis of boldness in four species of freshwater teleosts

The present study compared boldness (latency to initiate exploration of a novel area) in four species of freshwater fish collected from an irrigation canal. The results revealed that the stinging catfish ( Heteropneustes fossilis), armed with poisonous pectoral spines, was the boldest and unarmed attentive carplet (Amblypharyngodon melettinus) the shyest. There was no significant difference in the boldness of Malabar mystus (Mystus oculatus) and climbing perch (Anabas testudineus), the other two subject species, and their boldness can be positioned in between that of stinging catfish and attentive carplet. The results are discussed in the light of relation between boldness and predator apprehension in fish.