Enigmatic headstands in European freshwater fish species
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60077344%3A_____%2F25%3A00646906" target="_blank" >RIV/60077344:_____/25:00646906 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71005" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71005</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71005" target="_blank" >10.1002/ece3.71005</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Enigmatic headstands in European freshwater fish species
Original language description
This study discloses a remarkable and rarely documented behavior among two cyprinid species-the common bleak (Alburnus alburnus) and the common roach (Rutilus rutilus)-and one percid species, the European perch (Perca fluviatilis). The primary aim was to reevaluate this distinct behavior, termed 'headstand', and explore its potential implications for fish behavior and ecology. We utilized video recording to observe and analyze this behavior. Fish were monitored in an enclosure with near-natural conditions. Instances of headstanding behavior-where fish assume a head-down posture at angles between 45 degrees and 90 degrees-were documented. The video analysis revealed the occurrence of headstanding behavior in all three species, lasting from a few seconds to over a minute. This behavior was observed both individually and in groups, sometimes involving multiple species simultaneously. Group headstands occurred more frequently in the year when water transparency was low. Interestingly, although this behavior was previously proposed as a cleaning signal, no cleaning activity was observed afterward. Our observations suggest that headstanding may serve additional functions beyond a cleaning context, potentially involving foraging, predator avoidance, or social communication. Observing this behavior under diverse conditions highlights its ecological and social relevance. Future work integrating behavioral, ecological, and physiological approaches could clarify the adaptive significance of headstanding employed by these species.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10614 - Behavioral sciences biology
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Ecology and Evolution
ISSN
2045-7758
e-ISSN
2045-7758
Volume of the periodical
15
Issue of the periodical within the volume
2
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
10
Pages from-to
e71005
UT code for WoS article
001421410400001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85218929242