We examined the relative effects of zero, three, and nine redside shiner (Richardsonius balteatus) on the aggression-related damage among three juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in aquaria at 15 and 20 degreesC. No steelhead died when in the presence of nine redside shiner. When redside shiner were not present, mortality among the smallest steelhead was 80%. Thus, the survival of smaller juvenile steelhead was significantly enhanced by the presence of redside shiner. A second experiment was conducted in 6800-L stream channels at 15 degreesC with natural substrate. In separate trials, 10 and 7 steelhead were held either alone or with 20 redside shiner. In the absence of redside shiner, fin damage was significantly greater among smaller steelhead. In both experiments, if a redside shiner group was present, the smallest steelhead frequently took refuge within the shiner group, thereby avoiding attack by dominant steelhead. We have termed this phenomenon a behavioural competitive refuge.
