Watching the watchers: emperor cichlids can perceive attention towards their offspring by divers

Abstract Gaze is a pivotal signal in animal societies, shaping not only predator avoidance but also social interaction. However, research remains scarce across many groups, limiting broad comparisons of gaze sensitivity among vertebrates. In this study, we examined whether the gaze of human divers directed towards the eggs (or fry) guarded by parental emperor cichlids Boulengerochromis microlepis—one of the largest cichlid species—altered aggressive behaviour towards divers. Emperor cichlids attacked divers significantly more often when divers looked directly at the eggs than when they averted their gaze or turned their fins towards the clutch, and the attack rate was similar to when divers stared at the guarding parents. Conversely, the time fish spent near divers was greatest when divers oriented their fins towards the eggs. These findings suggest that fish may possess a rudimentary form of ‘attention attribution’—the ability to recognize where another individual’s focus lies. Consequently, we may need to account for the role of ‘gaze’ in shaping wildlife responses within ecotourism and conservation contexts.