Habituation in goldfish (Carassius auratus) is impaired by increased interstimulus interval, interval variability, and telencephalic ablation

Abstract

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) were fitted with electrodes and buccal catheters for monitoring electrocardiograms and ventilations, respectively. A 2-s "light-on" stimulus was repeatedly presented to groups of fish at fixed interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 1 or 2 min or at variable ISIs with a mean duration of 1 or 2 min. Normal fish, fish with telencephalic ablation, and fish with sham operations were compared for responsiveness and habituation to repeatedly presented stimuli. The longer the ISI, the greater the number of stimuli that were required for habituation. Increased ISI variability also decreased the rate of habituation. Furthermore, fish with telencephalic ablation had significantly slower habituation rates with both fixed and variable ISI schedules.