Figure–ground separation during active electrolocation in the weakly electric fish, Gnathonemus petersii

The weakly electric fish Gnathonemus petersii uses active electrolocation to detect and discriminate between objects in its environment. Objects are recognised by analysing the electric images, which they project onto the fish’s skin. In this study, we determined whether different types of large backgrounds interfere with the fishes’ ability to discriminate between objects. Fish were trained in a food-rewarded two-alternative forced-choice procedure to discriminate between two objects. In subsequent tests, structured and non-structured as well as stationary and moving backgrounds were positioned behind the objects and discrimination performance between objects was measured at different object distances. To define the electrosensory stimuli during the tests, the electric images of the objects and backgrounds used were measured. Without a background G. petersii was able to discriminate between objects up to distances of about 3–4 cm. Even though the electric images of background and object superimposed in a complex way, the addition of stationary structured or plain backgrounds had only minor effects on the range of object discrimination. However, two types of moving backgrounds improved electrolocation by extending the range of object discrimination up to a distance of almost 5 cm. This suggests that movements in the environment plays an important role for object identification and improves figure–ground separation during active electrolocation.

► Electric fish discriminated between objects placed in front of large backgrounds.
► Without a background, object discrimination was possible up to 3–4 cm.
► Stationary backgrounds had only minor effects on discrimination distance.
► Moving backgrounds extended object discrimination up to a distance of almost 5 cm.
► Background movements improve figure–ground separation in active electrolocation.