Guppies pass the personality test

Fish have complex individual personalities, new research has found.

Scientists from the University of Exeter recorded how Trinidadian guppies behaved in various situations, and found huge variations.

The study, published in the journal Functional Ecology, examined the “coping styles” of guppies. When placed into an unfamiliar tank for example, some fish attempted to hide, while others tried to escape or explore.

Such differences were found to be consistent over time and in different situations, with the behaviour of all guppies changing depending on the situation, but the relative differences between individuals remaining intact.

Professor Alastair Wilson, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) at the University of Exeter, said: “The next phase of our research will look at the genetics underlying personality and associated traits.” Samantha Herbert