Abstract
Turbidity, caused by suspended particles in the water column, induces light scattering and shifts in the wavelengths of light. These changes may impair the ability of fish to use physical cues and hence may modify social interactions. We experimentally investigated the social interactions of guppies, Poecilia reticulata, in clear and turbid water. Fish were significantly less active, formed smaller shoals and were found to be more often alone in turbid than in clear water. A Markov chain analysis revealed significant differences in the social dynamics when comparing clear and turbid water conditions. The probability of leaving a particular nearest neighbour and the probability of choosing some neighbour after swimming around alone differed between the treatments. Our results indicate that turbidity has a number of different effects on the social interactions of the guppy, and we discuss their potential costs and benefits and wider implications.
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