ABS 2024
Search
Behavioral responses of cleaner gobies to mirror reflection�
Alexis Demetropoulos, Mary Seymour, Kevin Wolfe, Ninel Leonardo, Lou Vesser, Lydia Wassink. University of South Florida, Sarasota, Florida, United States

Cleaner wrasses have been shown to pass the mirror test (Kohda et al. 2019), bringing up many questions related to the cognitive abilities of fishes. Neon gobies (Elacatinus oceanops) are also reef cleaners, and in this ecological role may have evolved cognitive abilities similar to those of cleaner wrasses. This study investigated behavioral responses of neon gobies to a self-reflection. Six gobies were observed for 10 minutes in 3 conditions: control, non-reflective surface present, and mirror present. An ethogram was used to collect data on frequency and duration of behaviors. AIC model selection on behavior frequencies indicated that the main effect of treatment was not significant (p = 0.1208), the main effect of goby ID was significant (p < 0.0001 ), and the interaction of goby ID and treatment was significant (p < 0.0001). Findings suggest that individual personality may determine reactions to novel stimuli for neon gobies. Further research is warranted to determine if goby reactions indicate self-recognition or reaction to a perceived conspecific. Cognitive abilities of cleaner gobies may have implications for their role as cleaners in important inter-species interactions.