Female convict cichlids (Archocentrus nigrofasciatus) prefer to consort with same-sized males

Abstract

In the monogamous cichlid fish Archocentrus nigrofasciatus, the convict cichlid, males have been shown to prefer large females, even females larger than themselves. However, convict cichlids normally form male-larger assortative pairs, with males approximately 30% larger than their mates. We tested female preference for male body size by examining their allocation of visiting behavior (consorting) in a laboratory three way choice experiment. Females consorted most with the smallest of three available males, and the preferred males were usually closely matched in size to the choosing female. The most discriminating females exhibited greater concordance in preference than the least discriminating females. Female consorting behavior in the lab differs dramatically from that of males and female mate preferences may be similarly different from those of males.

Keywords:

• mate preference
• Cichlidae
• body size