The effects of habitat complexity on aggression and fecundity in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) (2009)

Carfagnini AG, Rodd FH, Jeffers KB, et al.

Abstract

Female zebrafish housed in aquaria with spatial complexity (plastic plants) over a 13–16-week period showed reduced levels of aggressive behavior compared to females in bare tanks. In tanks with plants, there was no relationship between levels of aggression and fecundity but, in bare tanks, females experiencing the highest levels of aggression showed reduced fecundity. Our results suggest that it may be beneficial, when maintaining zebrafish at moderate to high densities or working with especially aggressive strains, to house them in spatially complex conditions.