Mate copying versus preference for actively courting males by female Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

We determined whether female Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) copied the choice of other females or independently preferred actively courting males. We allowed focal females to observe and subsequently choose between a male that courted and potentially spawned with a receptive female and a male that courted and was rejected by an unreceptive female. When the receptive female did not spawn, the focal female preferred the male with the higher courtship rate; whereas when the receptive female spawned, the focal female preferred the spawning male. Our results suggest that female medaka prefer actively courting males, unless they have the opportunity to copy the mate choice of another female.