Question

In a 2010 study on social behavior, biologists observed that cleaner wrasse fish (Labroides dimidiatus) behaved differently depending on whether they were being watched by other fish. When a client fish was present, the cleaner wrasse was more likely to remove parasites (a "cooperative" behavior) rather than eat the client's protective mucus (a "selfish" behavior). When no other fish were watching, the cleaner wrasse frequently engaged in the selfish behavior. These observations suggest that cleaner wrasse are capable of
A) altering their behavior based on the presence of observers.
B) communicating the identity of dangerous clients to others.
C) recognizing individual clients by scent alone.
D) reducing their parasite consumption when they are full.

Answer 1

A) altering their behavior based on the presence of observers.

The change in behavior when being watched vs. not watched indicates an audience effect—cleaner wrasse modify their actions depending on whether other fish are observing them.