Table 1 Protocol timeline.

Days → Time ↓	Adjustment to the aquarium			Tactile stimulation Period							Stress test
Days → Time ↓	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th	9^th	10^th	11^th
8:00 AM	Fish isolation			Introduction of the apparatus VR1	VR 3	VR 5	VR 7	VR 9	VR 11	VR 13	– 1^st stress test (30 min) – Video recording of fish crossing through the apparatus (20 min)
02:00 PM			1^st blood sample	VR 2	VR 4	VR 6	VR 8	VR 10	VR 12	VR 14	– 2^nd stress test (30 min) – 2^nd blood sample

The sequence of events during the 11-day experimental protocol started with fish isolation to adjustment to aquaria (3 days). The following 7 days were assigned to allow contact of fish with the apparatus for tactile stimulation. In the end of the period (11^th day), fish were addressed to either a social (aggressive interaction in pairs) or non-social (confinement) stress test. Tests were run independently for social (N = 15) and non-social (N = 14) stress, each one having a control treatment without tactile stimulation. VR means video-recording.

Quick links

Search