Dominance structure in small groups of juvenile white-seabream (Diplodus sargus cadenati de la Paz, Bauchot and Daget 1974)

Abstract

xperiments were conducted to investigate the intraspecific aggressive interactions between juveniles of white‐seabream (Diplodus sargus cadenati de la Paz, Bauchot and Daget 1974) in relation to dominance hierarchy in small groups. The agonistic interactions between juvenile white‐seabream in small groups originated a peck‐dominance hierarchy. The dominant (α‐fish) generally interacted aggressively and most frequently with the subordinate that was next in line (β‐fish) within the dominance hierarchy. This β‐fish interacted aggressively more frequently with the γ‐fish, and so on. Results demonstrated that fish do not attack subordinates at random. The level of subordination in small groups of juvenile white‐seabream was related to body size. Generally, the more aggressive fish manifest a higher growth rate.