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. 2020 Jan;96(1):274-277.
doi: 10.1111/jfb.14192. Epub 2019 Nov 24.

Response to underwater laser pointer in the Orange-finned Anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and three-spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus

Emilie Cohn  1 , Patrick Cole  1 , Amanda Haymaker  1 , Austin M Garner  1 , Richard L Londraville  1
Affiliations

Response to underwater laser pointer in the Orange-finned Anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and three-spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus

Emilie Cohn et al. J Fish Biol. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Response of orange-finned anemonefish Amphiprion chrysopterus and three-spot damselfish Dascyllus trimaculatus to red laser-pointer light was studied in Mo'orea, French Polynesia. Four magnificent anemones Heteractis magnifica and their resident fish were observed for typical behaviours (biting, chasing, hiding, posing, lunging and retreating) with and without exposure to laser-pointer light. Lunging behaviour increased significantly for both fish species upon exposure to laser-pointer light; none of the other behaviours changed significantly. We advance the hypothesis that orange-finned anemonefish and three-spot damselfish interpret laser pointer stimulation as a territorial threat.

Keywords: French Polynesia; Moorea; anemonefish; boldness; laser pointer.

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References

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