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

Experiments 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. Aggr. Behav. 24: 197–204, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.