Developmental, sexual and reproductive differences in habituation shown by the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)

Behavioural arousal responses of guppies (Poecilia reticulata) were observed to repeated presentation of 2 seconds increased illumination at 30 second intervals. Habituation of responses occurred more rapidly in males than in females and habituation in females was related to their reproductive state. Exposure of gravid females for 8 days to a daily series of stimuli resulted in their young having enhanced habituation postnatally. The results are discussed in relation to developmental and possible hormonal influences on arousal and its habituation in fish.