Parent choice by larval convict cichlids, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Cichlidae, Pisces)

Fourteen pairs of convict cichlids,  Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum  (‘gold’ and wild type) were bred a total of 21 times. Both parents tended their young together under two treatments: (1) in the presence of predators of fry and (2) not in the presence of predators of fry. When the young were free-swimming for 2 days they were tested in groups of 31 to determine which parent they preferred. Whether a preference was exhibited, the sex of the parent chosen, and the latency to choice were recorded. No difference in wild-type versus gold parents and offspring was detected. Most groups of young made a choice. Although maternal preference was indicated most often, paternal choices did occur. The amount of time the young were separated from the parents before testing was found to be important and affected whether or not a choice was made under the two rearing conditions. Latency to choice was shorter for groups of young raised with predators.