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Fixed Action Patterns

Fixed Action Patterns

A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 22, 2025

Silencing the Spark: CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Weakly Electric Fish

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Published on: October 27, 2019

The archerfish predictive C-start.

Stefan Schuster¹

¹Lehrstuhl für Tierphysiologie , University of Bayreuth , 95440, Bayreuth, Germany. stefan.schuster@uni-bayreuth.de.

Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology

|July 23, 2023

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Hunting archerfish make rapid, predictive C-start decisions to catch prey, even when outnumbered. These precise, high-speed movements ensure accurate prey capture by optimizing speed and trajectory.

Keywords:

C-start Decision-making Neuroethology Predator Speed–accuracy

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Last Updated: Jul 22, 2025

Silencing the Spark: CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing in Weakly Electric Fish

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Published on: October 27, 2019

A Reverse Genetic Approach to Test Functional Redundancy During Embryogenesis

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Published on: August 11, 2010

Behavioral Tracking and Neuromast Imaging of Mexican Cavefish

Behavioral Tracking and Neuromast Imaging of Mexican Cavefish

Published on: April 6, 2019

Area of Science:

Behavioral Ecology
Neuroethology
Biomechanics

Background:

Archerfish (Toxotidae) are known for their unique prey capture strategies.
Understanding rapid decision-making in predatory fish is crucial for behavioral ecology.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the high-speed decision-making process of archerfish during prey capture.
To analyze the kinematics and accuracy of archerfish C-starts.

Main Methods:

Analysis of video recordings of archerfish hunting behavior.
Kinematic analysis of C-start movements in response to prey motion.
Assessment of decision accuracy under varying environmental conditions.

Main Results:

Archerfish initiate rapid C-starts based on brief prey motion information.
The C-start provides the necessary speed and directional control for successful prey capture.
Decisions are accurate and robust against environmental changes, without a speed-accuracy tradeoff.

Conclusions:

Archerfish employ a sophisticated, high-speed decision strategy for prey capture.
Predictive C-starts demonstrate a remarkable combination of speed, complexity, and precision.
This study highlights the advanced motor control and sensory processing in archerfish.