Betta Research Articles

Transcriptome analysis identifies immune-related genes and antimicrobial peptides in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) is one of the most widely cultivated ornamental fish in global trade. However, transcriptomic data, which can reveal valuable genetic data for disease control and prevention, are extremely limited for this species. In this study, whole-body transcriptome sequencing of juvenile betta fish generated 4.457 GB of clean data and a total of 71,775 unigenes using the Illumina HiSeq4000 platform. These unigenes were functionally classified using 7 functional databases, yielding 45,316 NR (63.14%), 47,287 NT (65.88%), 39,105 Swiss-Prot (54.48%), 16,492 COG (22.98%), 37,694 KEGG (52.52%), 4,506 GO (6.28%), and 35,374 Interpro (49.28%) annotated unigenes. Furthermore, we also detected 13,834 SSRs distributed on 10,636 unigenes and 49,589 predicted CDSs. Based on KEGG analysis, five innate immune pathways (997 unigenes) were reported, including the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway and cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway. Moreover, four antimicrobial peptide (AMP) families (hepcidin, piscidin, LEAP-2, and defensins) from the betta fish transcriptome were also identified. Additionally, cDNA and genomic DNA of two β-defensins was successfully isolated from four betta fish species. RT-PCR analysis showed that BsBD1 transcripts were most abundant in the muscle and kidney and BsBD2 transcripts were most abundant in the gill. The genomic organization showed that the BD1 and BD2 genes consisted of three exons and two introns according to the GT-AG rule. Most importantly, this is the first report of the betta fish whole-body transcriptome obtained by high-throughput sequencing. Our transcriptomic data and the discovery of betta fish AMPs should promote a better understanding of molecular immunology for disease prevention for further ornamental fish aquaculture.

A method to analyze the relationship between locomotor activity and feeding behaviour in larvae of Betta splendens

The transition from live to artificial feed is a critical step for fish larvae with potential for cultivation. Determining the moment to initiate the introduction of artificial feed based on larvae swimming behaviour can reduce mortality levels resulting from this dietary transition. Kinovea® is a cost-free software used as a tool to study sports kinematics; its use can help to establish locomotor parameters to determine the best time to introduce artificial feed in Siamese fighting fish larvae diets, reducing the negative effects of weaning. The objective in this study was to evaluate the locomotor behaviour of Siamese fighting fish larvae under different feeding regimes using Kinovea® as a tool to study fish locomotor behaviour. A total of 234 larvae of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) were used; they were divided into three dietary strategies (treatments): live feed, artificial feed and co-feeding. Each treatment had four replicates. The experimental units were video recorded for 1 min after feed was offered. It was observed that the weaning strategy resulted in higher zootechnical performance (p < 0.05). Larvae fed exclusively with live feed had higher swimming speed, and larvae fed with artificial feed displayed low velocity (p < 0.05). The results indicate that the use of artemia nauplii and high swimming speed are correlated. Based on the results, it is possible to conclude that the weaning strategy proposed in this study is efficient and that Kinovea® can be used as a software to access locomotor behaviour for fish larvae.

MASCULINIZATION OF Betta splendens LARVAE WITH JAVA PEPPER (Piper retrofractum Vahl) EXTRACT THROUGH IMMERSION

Siamese betta fighting fish (Betta splendens) is the one of exports comodity of ornamental fish in Indonesia, but the problems of culture that fish is sex ratio of female higher than male. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of java long pepper (Piper retrofractum Vahl) for betta siamese fighting fish masculinizations through larval immersion. This research was designed by randomized completely design with three treatments of different java long papper doses (0,5 mg/L, 1 mg/L, and 2 mg/L), positive control (17α-metiltestosteron 20 mg/L), and negative control with there replications for each treatments. The treatments of java long pepper doses was given to thirty larvae (D4) through immersion during 24 hours. The research showed that java long pepper extract with dose 2 mg/L obtained the higher male ratio (59,82%) compared with dose 0,5 mg/L (45,11%), 1 mg/L (53,92%), and negative control (23,23%). Java long pepper extract with dose 2 mg/Lincreased the male ratio 36,59% compared with negative control. Java long pepper extract have no effect for survival rate of siamese betta fighting larvae during cultured.

Ornamental fishes in Khulna City, Bangladesh: culture practices and commercial aspects

An investigation was carried out to provide an initial assessment of aquarium fish trade from December 2018 to May 2019 in Khulna city, Khulna of Bangladesh. A total 12 shops were established in this district where 46 aquarium fish species were found of which 12 species were bred for fry production. In the study area, some ornamental fishes such as Gold fish, Black moor, Comet, Red parrot, Tiger barb, Angel fish, Black molly, Guppy, koi carp, Rosy barb, Silver shark, Rainbow shark, Tiger shark, Sucker mouth catfish, Blue gourami, Pearl gourami, Golden gourami, White molly, Pearl scale gold fish, Silver dollar, LT sucker fish were very common. Besides Glass catfish, Siamese fighting fish, calico, Swordtail, Oscar, Widow tetra, Neon tetra, Balloon molly, Moon tail balloon molly, Alligator gar were common and Tangerrine swordtail, Arowana, Flower horn, Red tail black shark, platy, cardinal tetra, Discuss fish, Rummy nose, Bolivian ram, Balloon ram, Bosemoni rainbow, Red tail catfish, Bichir, Mono angel, Knife fish were the rare fish of the Khulna city. All aquarium fish species were brought from catabon area of Dhaka city that were mainly imported from the international markets like India, Singapore, Thailand, etc. Importers/wholesalers and breeders marketed them to retailers, local breeders, shopkeepers, etc. and finally, the shopkeepers sold them to the aquaria owners. The most profitable large aquarium fishes were Gold fish which made a profit of (100±20 tk/pair), Black moor (150±20 tk/pair), Red parrot (250±50 tk/pair), angelfish (100±10 tk/pair), Pearl gourami (300±50 tk/pair), Guppy (400±50 tk/pair), Siamese Fighting Fish (300±50 tk /piece), Tiger Shark (40±10 tk/pair), Sucker mouth catfish (50±5 tk/pair) to the retailers. During this survey, it was found that the breeders used cement tank, glass aquaria, plastic tank and even plastic jar as culture tanks. They bred aquarium fish all over the year. In the present study the market is mainly domestic. There is a good domestic market which is increasing day by day. Except winter, average annual income was recorded 13,140,000 Tk from the 12 aquarium shops. However, when temperature dropped during winter, sale became reduced; sometimes no selling was also observed during this time.&#x0D; Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2019, 4 (3), 142-153

Exposure to the ultraviolet filter benzophenone-3 (BP3) interferes with social behaviour in male Siamese fighting fish

Oxybenzones like benzophenone-3 (BP3) are ultraviolet (UV) filters widely used in personal care products such as sunscreens. BP3 is currently receiving a great deal of attention because many of its properties, including high water solubility and potential to bioaccumulate, enable it to have damaging effects on aquatic ecosystems. One of these effects, the induction of coral bleaching, has led Hawaii to ban all sunscreens containing BP3. BP3 also appears to have endocrine-disrupting properties and has been found to affect animal physiology. However, behavioural consequences of BP3 exposure have yet to be thoroughly characterized. In the present study, we investigated the effects of BP3 on boldness, courtship and aggression in male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens, as little is known about the effects that BP3 has on fish social behaviour. To accomplish this, we assigned males to a treatment group (control, low, medium or high BP3 concentration) and completed individual (empty tank, novel environment and shoal) and social (courtship and aggression) behavioural assays before and after a 28-day exposure period. BP3 influenced the expression of social behaviours, with individual boldness generally unaffected. Changes in shoaling occurred regardless of BP3 concentration, while BP3-associated decreases in courtship and aggression were concentration dependent. Abnormal social behaviour may impede successful mating and alter territorial dynamics, with potentially heightened effects in species already experiencing other anthropogenic stressors.

Complex visual analysis of ecologically relevant signals in Siamese fighting fish.

We currently have limited knowledge about complex visual representations in teleosts. For the specific case of Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), we do not know whether they can represent much more than mere colour or size. In this study, we assess their visual capabilities using increasingly complex stimulus manipulations akin to those adopted in human psychophysical studies of higher-level perceptual processes, such as face recognition. Our findings demonstrate a surprisingly sophisticated degree of perceptual representation. Consistent with previous work in established teleost models like zebrafish (Danio rerio), we find that fighting fish can integrate different features (e.g. shape and motion) for visually guided behaviour; this integration process, however, operates in a more holistic fashion in the fighting fish. More specifically, their analysis of complex spatiotemporal patterns is primarily global rather than local, meaning that individual stimulus elements must cohere into an organized percept for effective behavioural drive. The configural nature of this perceptual process is reminiscent of how mammals represent socially relevant signals, notwithstanding the lack of cortical structures that are widely recognized to play a critical role in higher cognitive processes. Our results indicate that mammalian-centric accounts of social cognition present serious conceptual limitations, and in so doing they highlight the importance of understanding complex perceptual function from a general ethological perspective.

Ecologically relevant arsenic exposure alters female mate preference and anxiety-like behavior in Betta splendens

Arsenic is a metalloid pollutant that is commonly found in surface and groundwater worldwide. Toxicological effects of arsenic are relatively well-known, but much less studied are its effects on behavioral endpoints, which may have considerable evolutionary and population-level consequences. Here we investigated the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic (0, 10 and 100 μg/L) for 96-hours on female preference for male color (i.e. red versus blue) in Betta splendens, an increasingly popular fish model for contaminant-induced behavioral dysfunction. Further, we examined whether arsenic exposure altered anxiety-like behaviors using a standard scototaxis test (preference for light or dark), as well as measured tissue cortisol concentrations to increase our understanding of possible mechanisms driving behavioral responses. We found exposure to 100 μg/L arsenic results in a loss of female preference for red males, and arsenic exposed females showed increased anxiety-like behavior. The loss in preference for male coloration may have been driven by anxiety, as preference for red was negatively correlated with anxiety-like behavior for all fish. Interestingly, increase in anxiety-like behavior occurred without a parallel increase in cortisol. Female preference for red colored males may confer fitness benefits, and this study highlights important arsenic-induced behavioral changes that could have population level consequences.

Behavioral and immunotoxic effects of Prograf® (tacrolimus) in the male Siamese fighting fish.

Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) has been extensively exploited in the behavioral and physiological toxicology studies of drugs. Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant drug largely used in liver and renal transplantations. Here we found that a 7-day exposure of male B. splendens to concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 µg/mL Prograf® (tacrolimus) caused alterations in aggression and immunity indexes. Tacrolimus exposed fish presented lower opercular display in a mirror test which is indicative of reduced aggression. In addition, serum levels of lysozyme, IgM, alternative complement, and bactericidal activity of subjects exposed to 0.1 µg/mL tacrolimus were lower than those from the control treatment. These results showed the behavioral impairment and immunotoxic impacts of tacrolimus in a model of aquatic toxicology. The results suggest fishes provide a possible model for better understanding of the drug action in vertebrates, and possible consequences for the environment via its effects on non-target organisms in an ecotoxicology context.

Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Permintaan Ikan Patin di Desa Palimbangan Sari Kecamatan Haur Gading Kabupaten Hulu Sungai Utara

The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that influence and measure the level of elasticity of demand for catfish in Palimbangan Sari Village. The study was conducted in Palimbangan Sari Village, Haur Gading District, Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, from July to August 2015. The data used in this study were primary data and secondary data, the sampling technique used was convenience sampling, data analysis used was regression analysis. multiple linear and elasticity analysis. The results showed that the factors that influenced the demand for catfish were the price of catfish, the price of eggs, siamese fish, the number of families, and family income. The price elasticity of catfish is -25,296, meaning that catfish are inelastic, cross elasticity, only the price of eggs and catfish are substitute for catfish because they have a positive elasticity value. From the calculation of income elasticity shows that catfish are normal items

Artificial selection for male winners in the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens correlates with high female aggression

In Southeast Asia, males of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens have been selected across centuries for paired-staged fights. During the selection process, matched for size males fight in a small tank until the contest is resolved. Breeders discard losing batches and reproduce winner batches with the aim of increasing fight performance. We assessed the results of this long-term selection process by comparing under standard laboratory conditions male and female aggressive behaviour of one strain selected for staged fights (“fighters”) and one strain of wild-types. The aggressive response of adult fish was tested against their mirror image or a size-matched conspecific. Fighter males were more aggressive than wild-type males for all measured behaviours. Differences were not only quantitative but the pattern of fight display was also divergent. Fighter males had an overall higher swimming activity, performing frequent fast strikes in the direction of the intruder and displaying from a distance. Wild-type males were less active and exhibited aggressive displays mostly in close proximity to the stimuli. Females of the fighter strain, which are not used for fights, were also more aggressive than wild-type females. Aggressive behaviours were correlated across male and female fighter siblings, suggesting common genetic and physiological mechanisms to male and female aggression in this species. The study further shows that results were largely independent of the stimulus type, with the mirror test inducing similar and less variable responses than the live conspecific presentation. These results suggest that selection for male winners co-selected for high-frequency and metabolic demanding aggressive display in males and also enhanced female aggression, opening a wide range of testable hypothesis about the ultimate and proximate mechanisms of male and female aggression in B. splendens.

Utilization of life feed Alona sp., Boiled Egg Yolk and Commercial Feed Toward Survival Rate of Betta Fish Larvae

The purpose of this study was to find out the survival rates of betta fish larvae (cupang) that were given life feed Alona sp., boiled egg yolk and commercial feed for 21 days. Data analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA, and continued with BNJ (Tukey) test. The result of the survival rate is as follow treatment with life feed Alona sp. 56%, treatment with boiled egg yolk 26%, and treatment with commercial feed 0%. The results of statistical tests show there are significant differences. Significant value p &lt;.0002 (&lt;.05). Water quality parameter measured during the study was temperature of 26 ºC.Keywords: betta fish larvae, life feed, Alona sp., survival rateABSTRAKTujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan laju kelangsungan hidup larva ikan betta (cupang) yang dibeerikan pakan alami Alona sp., rebusan kuning telur dan pakan komersil selama 21 hari. Analisis data dilakukan dengan ANOVA one way, dan dilanjutkan dengan uji BNJ (Tukey). Hasil laju kelangsungan hidup adalah sebagai berikut, perlakuan dengan pakan alami Alona sp. 56%, perlakuan dengan rebusan kuning telur 26%, dan perlakuan dengan pakan komersil 0%. Hasil uji statistik menunjukan adanya perbedaan yang nyata. Nilai signifikan p &lt;.0002 (&lt;.05). Parameter kualitas air yang diukur selama penelitian adalah suhu 26ºC.Keywords: larva ikan betta, pakan alami, Alona sp., kelangsungan hidup

Chromatophoroma in a Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

An adult male blue Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) presented to the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a cranial mass located dorsal to his right eye....

Increased aggressive motivation towards formidable opponents: evidence of a novel form of mutual assessment

Contests are largely driven by resource value, but their outcome also depends on asymmetries in fighting ability between contestants. Consequently, individuals benefit from assessing these asymmetries when deciding to engage opponents or retreat. Yet, there is much about these assessments that we do not know. First, it is often difficult to discriminate whether individuals only assess their own fighting ability or if they compare it to that of their opponents by mutual assessment. Second, the extent to which assessment improves over the course of a contest, as predicted by theory, has remained largely unexplored. We addressed these questions by studying assessment during territorial contests between male Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Findings show the consistent use of mutual assessment when deciding to engage opponents, with a progressive increase in assessment accuracy over sequential contest phases by reducing the use of dishonest signals. Importantly, contrary to theoretical expectations, we found evidence of a novel form of mutual assessment in which fight motivation increased (rather than decreased) when contestants assessed their opponents as more formidable than themselves. Although contestants shifted to opponent-only assessment when adjusting display and attack, the collective evidence shows greater aggressive intent towards more threatening opponents. We argue that explanations for this form of assessment may be provided by considering territorial dynamics related to reproductive success and parental investment.

Pemanfaatan Lahan Sempit Sebagai Tempat Budidaya Ikan Cupang di Mertasinga, Cilacap

Betta splendens is an ornamental fish of economic value, this fish has the excellence color, fight instinct, and short life cycle. Betta fish into the category is easy to cultivate (narrow field). Betta splendens are one of 70 species of betta fish (Betta sp.) experienced breeding. The process begin several characters from body color, size and fin shape for ornamental and fight purposes. This potential can be implemented and developed to new breeders in members of breeder cilacap community, so as to improve the quality and quantity of betta fish. Existing problems i.e., how to optimize the unproductive narrow land more productive narrow land for the cultivation of betta fish and addition knowledges of betta cultivation, especially new breeders. This program 2 groups of citizens and 1 group of students. The solution provided, i.e., discussion about prospect of betta cultivation and focused training starting from selection of broodstock, process of breeding, egg and larvae breeding and feeding. The results from this activity is the use of land for the cultivation and the success of the spawning process new individuals both by citizens and students with entrepreneurship spirit.Sains

Blue aquarium background is appropriate for rearing male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens)

The effects of five aquarium backgrounds (transparent, white, red, blue, and black) on growth, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activities, skin coloration, muscle parameters, and carcass composition were investigated in solid red male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens). The fish (1.13 ± 0.01 g initial body weight) were distributed individually into glass aquaria (3.5 cm width × 8 cm length × 20 cm height) varying in color backgrounds (n = 15 per treatment). They were fed a commercial floating diet for small ornamental fish (35% crude protein) twice daily (0800 and 1700 h), and all measurements of fish were examined at the end of 8 weeks. The growth performance (specific growth rate = 0.97% body weight day−1) and feed utilization (feed conversion ratio = 1.60 g feed g gain−1 and protein efficiency ratio = 1.83 g gain g protein−1) of the fish reared on blue background were superior relative to the other treatments, followed by red background as next best (0.86% body weight day−1, 1.50 g feed g gain−1, and 1.71 g gain g protein−1, respectively). There were no significant differences in specific activities of digestive enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and amylase) between the fish reared on blue and transparent backgrounds (P > 0.05), but significantly increased ratio of amylase to trypsin was observed in the blue treatment. Skin coloration (in terms of lightness and redness), muscle RNA concentration, and muscle RNA/protein ratio did not differ in the fish reared on blue background, while muscle actin/myosin ratio and carcass lipid increased, relative to the control with transparent background. Findings from the current study indicate that the blue-based aquarium background is appropriate for rearing male Siamese fighting fish.

Virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila in Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) and the bacterium susceptibility to some herbal plants

Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from diseased Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens Regans. The virulence of A. hydrophiala to Siamese fighting fish was conducted by intraperitoneal injection of two doses of bacterial suspensions with 7.5x107 and 7.5x105 cfu per 0.05 ml. The cumulative mortality was observed in high and low dose groups which showed 98.33 and 20 percent, respectively. Moreover, five medicinal plants extracts namely Centella asiatica, Morinda citrifolia, Melissa officinalis, Piper sarmentosum and Terminalia catappa were determined for antimicrobial activities by broth dilution method. Terminalia catappa extract showed highest antimicrobial effect of MIC and MBC (25 and 12.5 mg/ml), followed by Melissa officinalis and Piper sarmentosum with the same values of MIC and MBC (12.5 and 25 mg/ml). Finally, Centella asiatica and Morinda citrifolia were similarly MIC and MBC (50 and 100 mg/ml). It was concluded that five medicinal plants can use to inhibit and kill A. hydrophila in fish.

Establishment of Siamese Fighting Fish on the Adelaide River floodplain: the first serious invasive fish in the Northern Territory, Australia

Siamese Fighting Fish Betta splendens is a well-known and popular aquarium fish. The species has recently invaded the Adelaide River floodplain, near Darwin in northern Australia. A very large and extensive population has persisted over consecutive years, with potential for further spread. This represents the first serious alien fish species incursion in the Northern Territory, with reports previously limited mainly to livebearers and cichlids in isolated habitats, some of which have been controlled by specific actions reviewed herein. The invasion highlights the need to maintain and strengthen proactive management, community engagement, and coordinated strategies for vectors of introduction including aquarium fishes.

Blood‐Brain Barrier as a Novel Link between Crude Oil Exposure and Behavioral Dysfunctions?

Low levels of exposure to crude oil and/or its derivatives are associated with numerous changes in coping responses from molecular to organismal levels in vertebrates ranging from fishes to humans. Less understood are behavioral implications of exposure, with a handful of studies suggesting that crude oil leads to behavior that is “riskier” and more aggressive. Moreover, the mechanisms underlying such behavioral changes are largely unknown. Given that blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption is implicated in many behavioral abnormalities, a likely, although uninvestigated, link between crude oil and associated behavioral changes is blood‐brain barrier dysfunction. We hypothesize that alterations in the integrity of the BBB is correlated with oil‐induced behavioral changes. In this poster we describe our programmatic approach consisting of three phases to test this hypothesis. Our strategy, based on three experimental approaches, tests the effects of crude oil exposure in the form of High Energy Water Accommodated Fractions (HEWAFs). 1) We have quantified behavioral changes in animal models (zebrafish, betta fish, and mouse). 2) We have assessed BBB integrity by recording real‐time transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) of in vitro “BBBs” formed by a confluent layer of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), and assessed gene expression in these cultured endothelial cells. 3) We will correlate in vivo with in vitro findings. In the first phase of our study, initial in vivo assessment using both Siamese fighting fish and zebrafish as models, indicates that fish exposed to very low levels of crude oil HEWAF show significantly increased aggressive behavior, and reduced reproductive and other behaviors, without otherwise showing morphological or growth effects. The second phase involved high‐throughput in vitro assessment using mouse BMECs as a simplified model of the BBB. These experiments indicated that acute exposure to crude oil extracts, as well as environmentally relevant concentrations ofbenzo(a)pyrene (one of the components of crude oil), resulted in significant decreases in TEER within the first 3 to 6 h of exposure. These barrier changes were accompanied by changes in expression of tight junction‐associated proteins such as significantly reduced expression in BMECs of the cell adhesion protein Cldn5, 48h after exposure to 8% HEWAF. Expression of Tjp1, a scaffolding protein that links tight junction (TJ) transmembrane proteins, was also decreased after exposure to just 2% HEWAF. The third, future phase will correlate in vivo with in vitro findings by first inducing behavioral dysfunction in animal models using crude oil HEWAF exposure, and then isolating and culturing BMECs of these animals to determine if in vivo exposure results in the same persistent changes in BBB leakiness and reduced BBB viability that was observed in the phase two in vitro studies. By applying our multi‐faceted experimental approach, we will be able to more fully elucidate the impact of crude oil on the blood‐brain barrier, and discover how this can, in turn, affect behavior in animals and man.Support or Funding InformationGulf of Mexico Research Initiative U.S. Army/Department of DefenseThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Evolution, culture, and Care for Betta splendens

The commercial betta, or Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), is one of a group of fishes that live in fresh water in Africa and southern Asia. Today’s commercial bettas are selected for bright colors as well as elaborate fins because the ornamental hobby is the main market for this species. This 5-page fact sheet written by Craig Watson, Matthew DiMaggio, Jeffrey Hill, Quenton Tuckett, and Roy Yanong and published by School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Program in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences explains how to grow and care for these beautiful and fascinating fishes. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa212

Fighting fish love robots: mate discrimination in males of a highly territorial fish by using female-mimicking robotic cues

Among territorial animals, several species are characterized by males showing the same initial behaviours towards both sexes, leading to significant chances of injuries against conspecifics. In this study, we investigated how visual stimuli exhibited by a female-mimicking robotic replica can be exploited by highly territorial Betta splendens males to discriminate males from females. In addition, we tested the effect of light stimuli, mimicking the colour pattern of a reproductive female, on the consistence of courtship displays in B. splendens males. The intensity of male behaviours used in both courtship and not-physical agonistic interactions (e.g. fin spreading and gill flaring) was not importantly modulated by different stimuli. Conversely, behavioural displays used specifically in male–female interactions significantly increased when the robotic replica colour pattern mimicked a reproductive female. Furthermore, male courtship behaviours obtained in response to the robotic replica exhibiting light stimuli were comparable with responses towards authentic conspecific females. Our biomimetic approach to establish animal–robot individual interaction can represent an advanced strategy for trait-based ecology investigation, a rapidly developing research field.