Koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) Seek Out Tactile Interaction with Humans: General Patterns and Individual Differences.

Area of Science:

• Ethology
• Animal Welfare Science
• Aquatic Animal Behavior

Background:

• Research on human-animal interactions predominantly focuses on mammals.
• Non-mammalian vertebrates, including fish, are underrepresented in human-animal interaction studies.
• Understanding human-fish interactions is crucial given the vast number of fish under human management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate voluntary human-fish interactions in a controlled environment.
• To explore the behavioral responses of koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) to human presence.
• To provide quantitative data on the nature of human-fish engagement.

Main Methods:

• Observation of seven adult koi in an aquaponics center over 18 interaction sessions.
• Data collection via video recording during two feeding conditions: before feeding (T1) and after satiation feeding (T2).
• Analysis of koi proximity to a researcher and instances of physical interaction.

Main Results:

• Koi spent significantly more time within the researcher's reach than expected in both feeding conditions (T1, p < 0.02; T2, p < 0.03).
• Individual koi exhibited distinct and consistent preferences for proximity and interaction.
• Results indicate voluntary engagement and individual variation in human-fish interactions.

Conclusions:

• Koi demonstrate a propensity to voluntarily interact with humans.
• Individual differences in interaction patterns suggest complex social dynamics.
• Findings underscore the need for enhanced moral and legal protections for fish, challenging common perceptions of their sentience.