Fish Beta Studies

The fish beta or Siamese fighting fish is very popular among aquarium fish.

The behavior and aggression of the fish beta or Siamese fighting fish has been the subject of many studies.

The fish Beta and its aggressive responses are set in motion such seemingly minor things as seeing its own reflection in a mirror. The ability to turn aggressive behavior on and off, without putting the fish beta or Siamese fighting fish at risk of physical damage, made the fish beta popular for psychologists interested in studying primal forms of aggression.

There were many branches of research on the fish beta or Siamese fighting fish's aggressive behavior. Most of these studies were performed in 1970s.

These studies have fallen out of the main stream due in part to new approaches in studying aggression.  It was also realized that causing aggressive responses in the fish beta or Siamese fighting fish could result in a significant source of stress for the fish beta.

Interesting results were obtained in the trials that were performed for example; it was shown that the presentation of such an aggression-eliciting stimulus will act as an unconditional stimulus in classical conditioning, and as a reinforcer in operant conditioning. It is as if the fish beta finds the opportunity to attack another fish rewarding.