Anorexic Fish?

[Melody]

Fish go on starvation diets to stay small, according to recent research.

Goby fish starve themselves so they can stay smaller than their superiors and present no threat that could lead to eviction from the group and, likely, death. ~ MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19486750/)

This seems like an impressivly complex thought process / instinct. For them to understand that less food means they will stay smaller is quite a thing.

I wonder if we see this in aquariums? I know I've heard concerned hobbyists say that their dominant fish hogs all of the food and/or the less dominant fish don't seem to be eating. I also wonder about alpha males in any colony, who seem to be larger from day one - are the other males eating less on purpose? Makes a person ponder. :Think:

[CACAdmin]

Interesting. Thanks for posting. I does make one wonder about males that seems to remain so much smaller than the alpha male despite plenty of food available.

[BC Mosaic]

Sorry, I don't buy it.
It's basically human emotions and thoughts applied to other species. Just like pollsters - they can find the figures that can show/prove whatever you like.
My 2g worth - :rofl:

[_BaDgUy_]

I doubt it's true!

What I've heard, for the explanation on the smaller brothers/sisters of a same brood, is that the biggest and strongest of the group would produce a chemical of some sort that would "stunt" the rest of it's brothers or sisters. I've read about it 2 or 3 times already, and it seems somewhat possible, even though it has not been proven yet!

[Melody]

They can tell you that it is true that they eat less. What they can't tell us is why, with any certainty. The next logical question though, would be if they don't eat less to stay smaller, why do they eat less?

I don't think the chemical stunting would be plausible unless the alpha male had some sort of built-in resistance to it. It would be a stretch to figure out what triggers it in the one fish as well.

[_BaDgUy_]

I'll try to find the articles to all this!

[BC Mosaic]

Intimidation is quite powerful.
I see two baby seagulls on the roof across from me. One pecks at the other until it kills the weaker one. Parents stand by watching and then chuck the carcass off the roof.
Survival of the fitest I guess. Cruel? Only to us homo sapiens. Then again watch international news :( .

[Melody]

Mr. Badguy, I'm sure the articles would be interesting if you can dig them up, thanks!

Mr. BCMosaic, at least Nature has a higher purpose to its cruelty. :yes: Can't say the same for humans.

It is kinda funny how they apply this theory to humans and other animals. The Goby group sounds like it has a somewhat more harsh pecking order than we are used to, making it an exception even in the fish world, let alone the world in general. Its interesting that the smaller females are also not allowed to breed and have to take turns. Seems to be a complex species overall.

I do like to keep an open mind about such things as the combination of this or that can lead to a bonified answer. However, I have to agree, the resulting theories based on this experiment amount to a lot of guesswork.

[ChrissyFishy]

I wonder how they justified their conclusions? :idea: There must be something that linked it?:Dunno:

[Melody]

You would think so. Maybe we'll run across the actual study report someday.